The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Australia will co-host Bali Regional Ministerial Conference II on "People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime", to be held in Nusa Dua Bali on 28-30 April 2003.

        The first conference, held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on 26-28 February 2002 and attended by 39 countries from around Asia-Pacific Rim, has agreed on a Co-Chairs' Statement which consists of the principles for regional and international cooperation in combating the issues of People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime. In order to accelerate the implementation of this cooperation, the conference has also formed the two Ad-Hoc Experts' Working Groups (Ad-Hoc Experts' Working Group on Regional and International Cooperation / AHEG I and Ad-Hoc Experts' Working Group on Policy Issues, Legislative Framework and Law Enforcement / AHEG II).

        The second conference is aimed at reaching a consensus on a final document which would include a future "house" of the process and concrete programs for future areas of the cooperation. It is expected that 39 participant countries, 18 observer countries, and 16 associates agencies and regional organizations will attend the conference.

        The Preparatory Meeting (Senior Official Meeting) will be held in Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta on 27 March 2003 to:

1.     Review meetings of the two Ad Hoc Experts Groups
2.     Consider the themes for the Ministerial Policy Dialogue
3.     Consider the elements of the draft Co Chair's Statement
4.     Consider and adopt the provisional agenda and draft program for the Conference.

        The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda is scheduled to open the meeting.