Indonesia to host UN forum promoting harmony in global civilization

JAKARTA (Xinhua) - Indonesia's leisure island of Bali is scheduled to host the 6th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to be attended by 2,000 participants from 114 countries and 25 international organizations, an official of Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said here today.

The two-day event will be held in Nusa Dua Bali from August 29 with the confirmed presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and leaders of 11 countries. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was scheduled to open the forum.   

"With the nation's motto that says Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), Indonesia was assessed a role model to the world that with persistence of difference in beliefs, people can live harmoniously in one country,"said the ministry's information and public diplomacy director-general Esti Andayani.

The event is expected to produce an outcome called Bali Declaration containing views, joint commitments and joint steps to the future formulated by participants in the event, she said.

Participants will be discussing four main pillars comprised of education, youths, media and migration in the event themed "Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Diversity For Common and Shared Values."

The forum is also expected to inspire measures in curbing extremism which is spreading in several parts of the world, fostering pluralism for world peace.