Afro-Asian leaders have gathered in Jakarta on Wednesday to explore new ideas for building a solid foundation to nurture relations between the two continents, greater development and resolve global issues.
The three-day Summit has been convened aimed to share experiences, strengthen partnerships and discuss strategies to overcome common challenges and boost economic development in both continents through South-South cooperation.
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the event at Jakarta convention centre. Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina is among 35 heads of state from the Afro-Asia countries including presidents of China and Myanmar who attend the meet. Prime ministers of Japan and Singapore are also taking part.
The summit was arranged commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African conference 50 years ago in Indonesia’s Bandung city and the 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) in 2005.
The Asian-African conference held in 1955, also known as the historic “Bandung Conference”, was an important milestone in the history of Asian and African relations and that conference eventually led to the formation of the the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the height of the cold war.
Delegates from 105 Asian and African countries, 15 observer countries, and 17 international organisations are also participating in the important event aimed at strengthening multilateralism, achieving economic growth, promoting global peace and security, and pursuing a path of sustainable growth in light of the "Bandung Spirit" crafted 60 years ago.
Indonesian President in his opening speech said the challenges and struggles faced by the Asian and African countries are not yet resolved. He called for focussing newly on those issues under the banner of "Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity." He also called for a new collective economic structure to support the struggle for stability and equality throughout the two continents.
Before the opening statement of Joko Widodo, Indonesian artistes presented an attractive cultural performance.
After the opening ceremony of the summit, prime minister Sheikh Hasina along with other world leaders joined the plenary sessions.
Chinese president Xi Jin Ping, Viet Nam president Truong Tan Sang, president of Myanmar U Thein Sein, president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe, king of Jordan Abdullah Ibne Al Hossein, prime minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala, prime minister of Palestine Dr. Rami Hamdullah, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Singapore Lee Heisen Loong and Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, are among the world leaders taking part in the summit.
