TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, on Thursday’s Summit for Democracy 2021 event that was held virtually, expressed Indonesia’s commitment to advancing democracy and human rights on regional and global scales.

The commitment, he said, is evident in the Bali Democracy Forum on December 9 that has been held for 14 consecutive years.

“This is Indonesia’s commitment to improve democracy and human rights regionally and globally, as our commitment towards democracy goes beyond our borders,” said the President.

The BDF is an intergovernmental forum aim to share various perspectives regarding democracy without condemnation. It is also a forum where participants can share the best practices to strengthen democracy and manage the challenges facing the democracy.

In the regional scale, Indonesia wil push for the advancement of democracy in ASEAN and set in motion the ASEAN intergovernmental commission on human rights. Indonesia is also the initiator of ASEAN human rights dialogue, which had been on hiatus for nine years and was reintroduced again this year.

Jokowi said Indonesia pledges to contribute to the ASEAN five points of consensus that can be implemented. "Indonesia believes that the promotion of democracy, human rights, and good governance can grow and develop if cooperation is put forward,” said the President.

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EGI ADYATAMA