On the 9th and 10th of December, the 3rd Democracy Forum took place in Bali, under the theme “Democracy and the Promotion of Peace and Stability”. In this Forum, 44 countries from the Asia-Pacific region were invited as participants and 24 countries and international organizations as observers.
The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, was one of the high individualities to be present at this Forum. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, to whom it fell upon to make the opening ceremony speech, appreciated the presence of the Prime Minister.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, R. M. Marty M. Natalegawa, remembered the previous Democracy Forums and the development registered in what concerns the architecture of democracy in the Asian region. As the organizing country, Indonesia shows its commitment, as a member of the international community, to continue to promote democratic values.
Starting by enhancing the significant increase of the number of participant countries and observers, the Minister highlighted some facts that could be concluded: “First, the democracy is making progress in Asia Pacific countries. Second, it demonstrates clearly that the countries of Asia and the Pacific are deeply committed to democratic values. Democratic values of inclusiveness, equality and open participation by all the people. Democratic values that are universal but emerging and growing from the aspiration of the people”
He went through the 1st Forum, where its theme was centred on the endeavour to find countries in the region to adopt democracy and the 2nd Forum that was concentrated on efforts to coordinate democracy and development under the point of view of cooperation in the Asian region. This year, the 3rd Forum “… will explore in depth how a democratic system can create and provide peace and political stability, so that people can live with confidence in their security.”
R. M. Marty M. Natalegawa ended his speech reinforcing the fact that the democratic values can create peace, prevent conflicts and resolve them through dialogue and reconciliation, as well as reach stability and political security at the national, regional and global level.
On the first day, Xanana Gusmão spoke at the Leaders Session about the theme “Democracy and Promotion of Peace and Stability”, of which, the President of the President of the Republic of Korea (Co-President of the Forum) and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam took part, among others.
The Prime-Minister’s speech started by remembering that, among the represented countries, Timor-Leste is the youngest country and the youngest democracy. He talked of the efforts developed after Independency, towards a democratic country and referred that Timor-Leste still cannot be satisfied. He recognizes the need for economic and social development, without which the necessary social balance does not exist for stability and democracy.
He remembered the “International Dialogue about Peace Construction and State Construction”, that took place in Díli and which counted with the participation of the “g7plus”, and the sharing of experiences of the fragile States towards finding solutions for the promotion of stability and world peace.
Recognizing that not even democracy in developed countries is perfect, the Prime Minister added that “building a democratic State, with the participation of all, in societies that don’t know what it is to be free of misery, hunger or ignorance, in societies where conflicts can arise from simple motives such as assess to water, food, land, education or basic health care – is a tremendous challenge!”
He congratulated the several examples of success of countries in the transition process, in the Asian region and showed Timor-Leste’s commitment to join the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão defended that, even if the country may not be prepared to be a effective member of this Association, “We are aware that, in the geopolitical and geostrategic point of view, our adhesion can contribute to guarantee regional security and stability, or in other words, more than benefits in the economic context, entering in ASEAN represents for Timor-Leste an opportunity to be a active agent in the promotion of regional peace and stability”.
In the second and last day of the Forum, the Interactive Sessions highlighted where the themes were: “How the democratic system helps to prevent the occurrence or aggravation of violent conflicts” and “Why are democracy and the economic development essential for the construction of peace”.
To read the Prime-Minister’s full speech, click here.