World leaders, ministers and high-level officials from 54 countries across the Asia-Pacific region will participate in the fifth Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) to discuss aspects to better promote democratic principles and values on Nov. 8-9 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

The two giants of the East Asia summit, the United States and China, have both attempted to exercise soft power during the regional talks with promises of funding. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced $US600 million in aid for Indonesia, most of it for “green prosperity” in the world’s third-biggest greenhouse gas emitting nation.

The 3rd Bali Democracy Forum ended yesterday with participants in agreement that a homegrown democratic system provides greater legitimacy to the incumbent government which in turn renders it to be more responsive to society's problems.