Photo: President Joko Widodo delivers a welcoming address at the Welcoming Dinner of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Indonesia-Africa Forum II in Jimbaran, Bali, on Sunday, September 1, 2024. The dinner was attended by several heads of state and delegations as part of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Indonesia-Africa Forum II in Bali from September 1–3, 2024. Media Center IAF II-HLF MSP/Sigid Kurniawan/YU
The Asian-African Conference (AAC) 1955, under the leadership of President Sukarno, marked a significant milestone in the awakening of the Asian and African nations, particularly those which have just gained their independence. Leaders and prominent figures from across Asia and Africa convened in Bandung, united in their determination and shared commitment.
Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka took the lead in organizing the Asian-African Conference 1955. The conference brought together a diverse group of nations, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, North Vietnam, and South Vietnam.
A common thread among the participants of the Asian-African Conference was their shared experience as newly independent, developing nations with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds.
United by their common experiences, the participating nations developed a strong sense of solidarity and a shared desire to promote universal humanism amidst the global tensions of the post-World War II era, characterized by sharp political polarization between the East and West blocs.
Almost 69 years later, Indonesia has once again taken the initiative to unite leaders from the African nations. By gathering in Indonesia, these leaders aim to reaffirm and strengthen the commitments made by their predecessors at the Asian-African Conference 1955, with a focus on enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
Reawakening the "Bandung Spirit" at the Indonesia Africa Forum
The second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) is being held in Bali, Indonesia. Under the theme "Bandung Spirit for Africa's Agenda 2063," Indonesia aims to leverage the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference as a foundation for continued cooperation with African nations.
The forum prioritizes collaboration in the fields of economic transformation, energy, mining, food security, health, and development.
The tangible outcomes expected to be achieved include government-to-government (G2G) agreements, government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) business deals, and a comprehensive development framework for Indonesia-Africa cooperation, including with third-party countries through triangular cooperation. The target is to reach a total of US$3.5 billion (approximately Rp54.69 trillion) in business deals.
During the inaugural speech of the Indonesia-Africa Forum II held in Bali, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, emphasized the significance of commitment, that Indonesia is being a part of global solution, and has remained consistent since the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955.
Consequently, Indonesia will persevere in its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Bandung Spirit, resisting colonial and imperialist hegemony and endeavoring to establish a new international order characterized by humanity, justice, and peace.
Building upon this foundation, it is entirely appropriate that UNESCO has recognized the significance of the Asian-African Conference 1955 by inscribing the momentum that led to the Bandung Spirit on its Memory of the World register.