AACC 2015, Jakarta – The participants of the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Asian African Conference (KAA) have agreed on the establishment of the Asian African Centre (AAC). The goal of AAC is to create a more actual realisation of the New Asian African Strategic Partnership.

“It is planned that a meeting of Asian and African countries will be held bi-annually,” said an Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Armanantha Natsir at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Tuesday (21/4).

According to Mr. Natsir, it is expected that through the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Asian African Conference in Jakarta and Bandung, the Spirit of Bandung will once again give inspiration. “The synergy between Asian and African countries will continue to be improved in order to achieve significant development in the economic, political and social sectors,” he said.

He explained that to date, cooperation in Asian and African regions have not been optimal, especially in the trade sector.

“As host country of the commemoration of the Asian African Conference, Indonesia is intended to encourage a lot of opportunities for cooperation in order for Asian and African countries to achieve equal development,” he explained.

Mr. Natsir added that the Spirit of Bandung, which was first declared in 1955, remains relevant to current condition. He asserted that in this dynamic world situation, the strengthening of cooperation between Asia and Africa is still needed.

“In 1955, a number of countries had not achieved independence. Today, through the commemoration of AAC, we have agreed to support the independence of the Palestine,” he said.

Support for the Palestinians, as Mr. Natsir puts it, will provide a strong influence in politics. “The commitment given by the people’s of Asia and Africa to the Palestinians certainly will be very useful,” he said. (Photo: Editorial: Gusti Andry, Translator: Penny Patmawati)