Jelang KAA, Menlu: RI Usulkan Asia Afrika Center
Jelang KAA, Menlu: RI Usulkan Asia Afrika Center
YOGYAKARTA – The ten principles in the Asia Africa Conference 1955 were said by Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno L.P. Marsudi, as very relevant to today’s situation. Even so, the South-South cooperations have not been made very well. In order to strengthen such cooperations, the Indonesian government will propose the establishment of Asia Africa Center. This will be conveyed during the 60th anniversary of the Asia Africa Conference from 19-24 April in Bandung.
“Indonesia is ready to propose the establishment of Asia Africa Center for exchanges of knowledge and discussion as well as strengthening the relations between Asia Africa countries,” said Retno during the Bandung Conference and Beyond meeting at the Senate Hall of UGM on Wednesday (8/4).
Retno reinstated the Asia Africa Center will strengthen the cooperation between country leaders from Asia and Africa, however, this cannot be done by Indonesia alone, but also other member countries. The Asia Africa Conference 1955 needs to be realised into a more concrete cooperation. The South-South cooperation has also to be strengthened as this will give contributions to world peace and security.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., said in the run-up to the 6oth anniversary of Asia Africa Conferenc in Bandung, the Indonesian government needs to encourage cooperation between societies in Asia and Africa. Issues to be raised in the commemoration is exchange of knowledge and technology, sustainable development and the introduction of Asian local wisdom.
International relations observer from American University, Prof. Dr. Amitav Acharya, said the idea for the Asia Africa Conference came from Indonesia, but supported by four other countries, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Burma. “The idea came from Indonesia, but would not run without the support from the other countries,” he said.
Acharya said there were 29 countries joining the Conference which was initially to be blocked by the U.S. and the Great Britain due to fear of the risk of spreading communism and the loss of British colonialised countries. The Conference, however, ran well and produced important results, including rejection of all forms of colonialism and recognition of human rights.