Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2005

Prime Minister Attends the Asian-African Summit 2005 (Third Day) Sunday, April 24, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference 1955, a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary since the Asian-African Summit held in Bandung, Indonesia (also known as the Bandung Conference). This ceremony served as the closing ceremony of the Asian-African Summit which was held in Jakarta from April 20, commemorating the 50th anniversary since the Asian-African Summit of 1955 which marked the start of the independence movements of developing countries under the Ten Principles of Bandung. The Principles include, among others, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small, and abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Koizumi and other leaders of Asian and African regions as well as Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Following in the steps of world leaders at the first meeting held 50 years ago, the leaders attending the ceremony walked as they waved their hands the approximately 200-meter long road from the hotel where the leaders stayed 50 years ago to the Gedung Merdeka, or the so-called "Freedom Building," where the historic meeting took place. The leaders then pledged that they would carry on the "Bandung Spirit" which expresses peace and coexistence. At the commemorative gathering, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, and Mr. Thabo Mbeki, the President of the Republic of South Africa, who served as co-chairs of the meeting, each delivered an address and emphasized the need for interregional ties. Both leaders announced their resolve to construct new Asian-African relations based on the "Declaration on the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership" which was adopted at the summit meeting the previous day.