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ast Asia and Latin America are set to forge further cooperation and to call for more people-to-people contact for the benefit of the two regions at the upcoming forum in Bali on June 13-14.

Indonesia and Colombia will cohost the sixth ministerial meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), which will be attended by two deputy prime ministers, 15 foreign ministers, 12 deputy foreign ministers and seven senior officials from member countries.

FEALAC consists of 16 East Asian countries and 20 Latin American countries.

The Foreign Ministry's director general for America and Europe Dian Triansyah Djani said that FEALAC committed to enhance cooperation on areas of common interest such as trade and investment.

To attain that goal, it is necessary to intensify contact among stakeholders from parliaments to centers of excellent.

'The regions are undertaking vigorous development so it needs extra efforts to push for more cooperation.

'As cochair of this meeting, we would like to explore and utilize the opportunities in shaping the bi-regional ties,' Dian Triansyah said.

The two regions have maintained stable economic growth despite slowing down in other parts of the world. The average economic growth of FEALAC reaches more than 5 percent, some member countries reach even higher, more than 6 percent.

The forum's member countries represent 34 percent of global GDP, while foreign direct investment and trade cover respectively 24 percent of global investment and 30 percent of world trade.

Eight of G20 countries are FEALAC members-states. In 2030, it is predicted that 72 percent of middle income consumers will live in these two regions.

Dian Triansyah said the regions can offer huge market and opportunities.

East Asia and Latin America have robust economic ties with the US and Europe, but have not yet
optimized cooperation among themselves.

'We used to see distance as an obstacle to forging relationships, but this argument is no longer relevant since technology and transportation have developed,' he added.

Beside trade and investment, tourism, biodiversity research, food and the airplane industry were
highlighted as sectors that can be boosted.

Commenting on the relevance of FEALAC since bilateral and regional trade agreements have flourished across the globe, Dian Triansyah said the FEALAC members complemented and benefitted one
another, since it is the only forum linking countries in East Asia and Latin America.

Dinna Wisnu, cofounder and director of Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy underlined the need for Indonesia and East Asia countries to learn from Latin America's experiences.

'Countries in Latin America should be admired for their constant search for innovation in policies that cater to the needs of their citizens,' Dinna told The Jakarta Post.

The vivid examples of the region's innovation is their social protection schemes, including cash transfer programs, such as those in Brazil and Mexico; their model of relationship when engaging hegemonic countries (such as those done by Venezuela, Paraguay and Bolivia); and sustainable agriculture policies that cares for environment.

Indonesia, in particular, can learn from Latin America's commitment to alternative policies beyond liberal capitalistic economy.

'They don't just follow the market; they actually look for ways to lead the market,' she said.

The region has also given the world experience in fighting impunity, bringing human rights perpetrators to justice and developed a culture of accountability, such as in Chile's Pinochet case, Guatemala's Efrain Rios Montt.

'Learning from their mistakes in the past, they have demonstrated sincere protection of human rights, create better policies in the realm of democracy. Those are the things we should learn,' Dina added.

Founded in 1999 with the initial name of EALAF (East Asia-Latin America Forum), FEALAC aims to promote cooperation, better understanding, and political and economic dialogue between the regions in order to achieve more effective, cooperative, and fruitful relations in all areas.