Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) here on Thursday chaired a limited cabinet meeting to review preparations for the 60th commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) scheduled in Jakarta and Bandung (West Java), on April 19-24, 2015

The meeting was attended by Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla, several ministers, and Chief of the Presidential Staff Luhut Pandjaitan, among others.

Earlier, Luhut Pandjaitan stated that at least 25 heads of state and governments have confirmed their attendance.

Some 109 Asian and African countries along with 17 observer countries and 25 international organizations have been invited to attend the event.

Foreign Ministrys spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir recently remarked that some 20 events have been planned to enliven the AAC commemoration.

Among the events to be organized on the sidelines of the AAC are the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on April 19 and the Ministerial Meeting (MM) on April 20.

On April 21, the organizing committee will hold the Asia-Africa Business Summit in Jakarta, on April 22-23.

Several heads of state will participate in the Historical Walk event, which will be held in Bandung, on April 24.

The AAC was first organized in Bandung in April 1955, at the initiative of Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and Pakistan.

It was viewed as a symbol of freedom from colonialism, besides being a symbol of resurgence of the Asian and African nations. Some 29 countries representing more than half of the worlds population had sent their delegates to the conference.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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