The myriad of issues ranging from political revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East, slow recovery of the financial crisis and spate of natural disasters have made forums like the Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) more crucial than ever.

NONE Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman ( left ) said that in a borderless world there was no escape from being affected by events around the world, be they political, social and economic in nature and natural disasters.

As such, he said, the LID 2011 provides a timely opportunity for Malaysia, which initiated the dialogue in 1995, and its partners in Africa and the Caribbean to address these challenges and find solutions for their collective betterment.

"It's time for us to re-visit our priorities and re-evaluate our options in the context of smart partnerships in the interests of all involved," he said in his welcoming remarks at the opening of the LID 2011 by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Putrajaya today.

LID2011 is being attended by the heads of state and government as well as ministers and officials from 15 countries from Africa and the Caribbean.

This year's dialogue is attended by African leaders like Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili of Lesotho, Swaziland Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso, Ugandan Vice-President Edward Sekandi and Kenyan Vice-President Stephen Kalonzo.

NONE Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( right ) and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Stressing that the LID never lost sight of its objectives and remained relevant despite the many challenges, Anifah pointed out that they have embraced transformation in shaping talks at this year's LID that will see the "reinvention" of the dialogue.

"We hope to achieve this through the introduction of some value-added mechanisms with the potential of paving the way for a more structured dialogue in future," he added.

The LID 2011 will consists of four main segments, namely the retreat for the heads of state and government, dialogue forums, plenary sessions and dialogue in the field which will set a stronger direction for the overall dialogue, he said.

Anifah said yesterday's inaugural Malaysia-Africa Business Forum, which has been the missing link in previous LIDs, was one of the "reinvention" process.

- Bernama