32 Countries To Attend Jakarta International Defense Dialogue

Jakarta, March 14 (Antara) - As many as 32 countries will attend the 2013 Jakarta International Defence Dialogue to be held by the Defence Ministry in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the International Peace Institute (IPI) based in New York. "Of the 47 countries we have invited, 32 have confirmed a plan to attend the third international dialogue," spokesman of the 2013 JIDD`s steering committee Eris Herryanto said at the Defense Minister building here on Thursday. The event to be held on March 20-21 will be attended by heads of state/government, defense ministers, military chiefs, experts, academics, and other officials from other ministries. The countries that have been invited to the dialogue are Japan, the United States, Brunei, China, Timor Leste, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos, among others. Eris said the annual event is a forum to increase cooperation among countries in and outside the region. "We share every problem related to defense and security, so that the problems in the region can be solved well." The 2013 JIDD is themed defense and diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Eris, the theme was chosen to maintain security and stability in the region. "Every defense issue should be solved through diplomacy," he said. Eris said the event is aimed at promoting cooperation among governments in the face of common threats and challenges. He said JIDD is also one-and-a-half track of diplomacy as it serves as a forum for government officials and non-government experts. "With this format, participants of the dialogue are expected to be able to see the issues discussed at the meeting from several different points of view, so that the results of the discussion will be able to answer the existing problems more comprehensively," Eris said. The two-day event will be divided into a number of activities, such as the opening speeches by the Indonesian President, the Indonesian Defence Minister and the Prime Minister of Timor Leste and "The Asia Pacific Century" video playback. On the first day of the dialogue. participants will discuss two topics, "The Rise of Asia and New Geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific Region" and "Asia Economic Impact Power, Defense, and Diplomacy,". On the second day of the event, the participants will discuss topics on `Evolving Threats and Challenges in Asia Pacific`, `Trouble Water`, `Maritime Challenges in Asia Pacific`, `Porous Border`, `Stronger Control and Cooperation and Modern Military`, `Growing and Expanding Industry Capability`. The Asia-Pacific Security and Defense Expo (APSDEX) will also be held during the 2013 JIDD. "A total of 29 companies will participate in the exhibition. It aims to promote and establish cooperation in the field of industry, especially the defense and security industry," he added.