Report of
H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Republic of Indonesia

Your Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the First Lady, Ibu Hajjah Ani Bambang Yudhoyono,
Your Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam,
Your Excellency Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan,
Your Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. President, with your permission, I have the honor to report the preparation for the Second Bali Democracy Forum which you are about to officially open.

Further, in anticipation of your keynote speech and also with your kind permission, I should like to extend the warmest welcome to all to Bali for this Forum.

Indeed Mr. President, the period since last year’s inaugural meeting has witnessed the consolidation of our Forum. Without doubt, the Bali Democracy Forum is earning itself a unique place in regional architecture, one that is focused on democracy: its promotion and consolidation.

Above all, few would doubt the efficacy of the Forum’s central tenet, namely, the gain to be had by countries sharing and exchanging their unique experiences in promoting democracy. As initiator of the present Forum, Indonesia has consistently been of the view that such a forum must be inclusive in nature, recognizing different stages of countries’ democratic journey as an indisputable fact which should not constitute a barrier to cooperation if imbued with a shared aspiration to universal democratic principles.

The success of the First Bali Democracy Forum and the convening today of its Second Meeting is a testimony to the region’s common interest in strengthening democratic values and institutions. We may not be uniform in our approaches, but we are united in our spirit to share and learn from one another.

Your Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,

Before turning to the theme of this second Forum, allow me to inform that since the convening of the first Bali Democracy Forum exactly a year ago, the Institute for Peace and Democracy has initiated a number of follow up activities. This includes “Updates on Indonesian Elections” in March 2009 and a “Workshop on the 2009 Indonesian Presidential Election” in July 2009. Insights gained from these activities have the potential to enhance the electoral process not only in Indonesia, but also similar efforts being carried out by other countries in the region.

The theme of the present Bali Democracy Forum is “Promoting Synergy between Democracy and Development in Asia: Prospects for Regional Cooperation”. On this basis, participants will conduct interactive discussions on “Democracy and the Rule of Law” and “Democracy and Development in the Information Age.”

The link between democracy and development is one that is widely acknowledged.

Yet, for countries simultaneously engaged in promoting democracy and seeking to ensure the promises of economic development, a synergic attainment of these twin objectives is not often immediately assured.

To be sustainable and to be truly meaningful, democracy must deliver economic betterment. A democratic dividend.

Likewise, an all consuming pursuit of economic betterment, impervious to democratic impulse, may not ensure a most equitable and inclusive economic opportunities for all.

How countries synergize these twin objectives would constitute the main theme of our present Forum.

Within this main theme, our Forum will explore the significance of democracy and the rule of law in sustaining equally, both democratic values and economic development. For, indeed, in the same way that the sustainability of democracy requires that it delivers economic betterment to the populace, it also demands that it be anchored by an unstinting commitment to the rule of law. And as a final sub-theme is “democracy and development in information age”- recognition of the key role of access to information in building a sense of participation and ownership in the democratic process.

Your Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,

I have the honor to report that no less than 29 (twenty-nine) countries are participating in this year’s Second Bali Democracy Forum. Indeed, Indonesia is honored to welcome the personal participation of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan, and His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste.

Of course, all of us continue to value very much your own personal commitment and guidance to the Forum.

In addition to representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, allow me to inform youthat there is a growing interest on the Bali Democracy Forum among countries from all corners of the world. This, among others, is indicated by the significant presence of observers here today.

Your Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,

Before I conclude the present report, allow me, as well, to take this opportunity to give a special mention to H.E. Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, for his role and contributions in pioneering this Bali Democracy Forum.

Your Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,

It is a joy and honor to have you grace this Forum with your presence. I have the honor to invite Your Excellency to deliver the Opening Statement and to formally open the Second Session of the Bali Democracy Forum.

Thank you.