Asian Statesmen Forum opens in Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: The Asian Statesmen's Forum will take place on Tuesday with more than 100 high-ranking government officials from Asian countries participating in the one-day event at the Hotel Imperial Bali in Seminyak.

The meeting, the third of its kind, will discuss various pressing issues in Asia, including security affairs (State and Human Security), human resources development, energy and environmental issues, economic issues and civilized dialog.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, a member of the Japanese legislature, said on Monday that the Forum was aimed at sharing views and visions to the various issues that Asian countries are facing," said Hayashi, one of the initiators of the Forum.

Last year's Forum was held in Phuket, Thailand. The key topic for last year's Forum was "Paving the Way to Open Regionalism."

Several noted academicians from Asian universities and research centers will also attend the meeting as observers.

On Aug. 21, Indonesia and Japan will also hold a special meeting at the same venue called Indonesia-Japan Energy Round Table. --JP