The Guardian 27 April, 2005
Asia-Africa “strategic partnership”
The heads of state of 104 Asian and African leaders met in Jakarta, Indonesia April 22-23 for an Asian-African Summit to reinvigorate the Spirit of Bandung which was enshrined in the Final Communiqué of the 1955 Asian-African Conference. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1955 meeting of Asia-African countries in Bandung, Indonesia. The Summit meeting of the leaders of the two continents decided to create a New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.
A declaration adopted by the meeting said: “We reiterate our conviction that the Spirit of Bandung, the core principles of which are solidarity, friendship and co-operation, continues to be a solid, relevant and effective foundation for fostering better relations among Asian and African countries and resolving global issues of common concern.
The declaration said that since the 1955 Conference, Asian and African countries have attained significant political advances. We have successfully combated the scourge of colonialism and consistently fought racism. In particular, the abolition of apartheid represents a milestone in Asian-African co-operation and we reaffirm our continued determination to eradicate racism and all forms of discrimination.
As a result of our efforts over the last fifty years, we are all independent, sovereign and equal nations striving for the promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
However, having made these political gains, we are concerned that we have not yet attained commensurate progress in the social and economic spheres. We recognise the need to continuously strengthen the process of nation and state-building, as well as social integration.
The Summit reiterated a commitment to the principle of self-determination set forth in the Final Communiqué of the 1955 Bandung Conference and in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
In particular, we express our abhorrence that, fifty years since the 1955 Bandung Conference, the Palestinian people remain deprived of their right to independence. The conference called for the creation of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
We recognise that the current global situation and the prevailing conditions in Asia and Africa necessitate the need to actively pursue a common view and collective action to ensure the equitable sharing of the benefits of globalisation, said the declaration.
We are determined to meet the internationally agreed targets and goals aimed at poverty eradication, development and growth, and underline the necessity for all parties to honour their commitments in this regard.
Dialogue among civilisations
We underline the importance of dialogue among civilisations to promote a culture of peace, tolerance and respect for religious, cultural, language and racial diversities as well as gender equality.
The declaration said that poverty and under-development, gender mainstreaming, communicable diseases, environmental degradation, natural disasters, drought and desertification, digital divide, inequitable market access, and foreign debt, remain as issues of common concern which call for our closer co-operation and collective action.
We envision an Asian-African region at peace with itself and with the world at large working together as a concert of nations in harmony, non-exclusive, bonded in dynamic partnership and conscious of our historical ties and cultural heritage.
We visualise an affluent Asian-African region characterised by equitable growth, sustainable development as well as a common determination to enhance the quality of life and well-being of our people. We further envisage a caring Asian-African society where the people live in stability, prosperity, dignity and free from the fear of violence, oppression and injustice.
Principles
The strategic partnership provides a momentum in achieving peace, prosperity and progress, and will be based on the following principles and ideals:
Recognition of diversity, including different social and economic systems, a commitment to open dialogue, based on mutual respect and benefit, non-exclusive co-operation, equal partnership, common ownership and vision, a shared conviction to address common challenges, the promotion of a just, democratic, transparent, accountable and harmonious society, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development.
Practical co-operation between the two continents in areas such as trade, industry, investment, finance, tourism, information and communication technology, energy, health, transportation, agriculture, water resources and fisheries is to be promoted.
The Asia-African states are to address issues such as armed conflict, weapons of mass destruction, transnational organised crime and terrorism, which are fundamental to ensuring peace, stability, and security.
We are determined to prevent conflict and resolve disputes by peaceful means, said the declaration.
Another Summit meeting of the heads of the Asian-African countries is to be held in four years. The Governments of Australia and New Zealand did not attend the Summit although Pacific Island nations did attend.