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Asian, African countries to renew efforts in tackling development issues

Xinhua, April 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Diplomats on Friday urged all nations to renew their efforts and commitments to tackle development issues affecting the global politics and economy prior to the 60th anniversary of the Asia Africa Conference (AAC) next week.

Ambassadors and diplomats from countries, which initiated the AAC in 1955, said at a forum that challenges faced by the framework have been shifting from promoting independence, international recognition and equality to resolving global economic slowdown, security and energy concerns.

"Things that need to be essentially addressed in the upcoming 2015 AAC are challenges lingering in global economy, development and equality in global distribution while at the same time also promoting multilateral cooperation in energy and security sectors, " Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh said.

He also pointed out that cooperation to advance maritime connectivity among countries in the AAC framework should be prioritized, saying that it would propel equality among Asian and African nations.

Such an idea was in line with initiatives of Indonesian President Joko Widodo who tries to bolster the nation's maritime sector through his plan to make Indonesia the world's maritime axis, given the nation's geographical position between two oceans and two continents.

Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng said Asian and African countries are now facing non-traditional security challenges that need to be dealt with balanced international measures and politics.

"Among the biggest challenges in security sector was the 'North- South Division.' It is highly expected that the upcoming meeting would be a forum to push for creation of world peace. Among the measures that need to be applied is to unify the perception of international law so as to enable the Asian and African countries to resolve possible conflicts between them quickly," he said.

Director General of Asia Africa Affairs at Indonesian Foreign Ministry Yuri Thamrin said trade and investment activities among Asian and African countries have demonstrated tremendous growth with total value of 270 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 from 2.8 billion U.S. dollars in 1990.

Yuri said that the upcoming AAC meeting offers opportunities for Asian and African countries to explore cooperation aimed at enhancing trade and investment and also building capacities.

"It can be materialized by facilitating companies through special loan arrangements and promoting further cooperation among Asian and African countries, particularly in economy and human resources development sectors," he said.

The 60th commemorative meeting of AAC was slated to be held on April 19-24 in Indonesia's cities of Jakarta and Bandung. The AAC, initiated by leaders of Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar in 1955, resulted in "Bandung Principle" that promotes independence, peaceful coexistence, cooperation, respect and non- aligned political stance.

Then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai attended the event, along with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Il- sung.

Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Friday that more than 25 heads of state have confirmed their participation in the upcoming meeting. Endi