What could be better than a dialogue by the beach 

Langkawi International Dialogue was seeded from a simple belief - that in this multicultural globe, there was a momentous need for a partnership, one that transcends official documents and diplomatic protocol. 

Later recognised by the hypocorism "Smart Partnership", these informal ventures have in recent years proven to be extremely enriching and profitable for all parties involved.

Mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Langkawi International Dialogue was inaugurated in 1995 as an integral part of the "International Dialogue on Smart Partnership" series. Similar dialogues in the series - the Southern Africa International Dialogue (SAID) and Eastern Africa International Dialogue (EAID) are held annually in Africa. 

The biennial Langkawi International Dialogue is attended by the world's heads of state and government, senior officials, corporate and labour leaders as well as senior professionals from the academia, media and other key interest groups.

After a series of successful dialogues, it is now clear that the global village, particularly the developing nations can, and should take full advantage of the Smart Partnership concept. Incorporating the spirits of camaraderie, good faith, mutual respect and trust, these sharing of visions, knowledge, experiences and available resources have become some of the most precious and powerful vehicles towards creating a progressive, prosperous and harmonious globe. 

While the Smart Partnership concept in itself is not a guarantee to an Ideal Globe, it benefits all participants through identifying strengths, weaknesses, attributes and threats; subsequently sharing and creating synergies in working out the solutions to various concerns. 

Held in the idyllic tropical Island of Langkawi, the Dialogue offers a safe place for political and business leaders to talk openly with one another about creating wealth through public and private partnerships.

Langkawi International Dialogue is jointly organised by Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MiGHT), which together form a Malaysian Hub for Smart Partnership.