Indonesia will host the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the AAC in Jakarta and Bandung. So far, at least 30 heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some two thousand junior high school students will be involved in the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) scheduled on April 19-24, Jakarta education agencys secretary Bowo Irianto stated.

"They will welcome the heads of state/government and delegates who are coming from different countries," Irianto noted here on Tuesday.

The students belong to ten junior high schools in the capital city.

"We are just involving junior high school students and not the students from elementary and high school," he remarked.

The junior high school students, dressed in school uniforms, will lineup on the streets and wave flags during the AAC, Irianto noted

Earlier, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama stated that the city is ready to host the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the AAC.

"Preparations are standard. Roads have been improved and security and traffic order will also be enhanced," he pointed out at the City Hall here on Monday.

Indonesia will host the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the AAC in Jakarta and Bandung.

So far, at least 30 heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance.

He noted that security will be beefed up, especially around hotels where the AAC delegates will be staying.

"What should be assured is that no potholes are formed on the roads when it rains. Security around hotels and their surrounding areas must be increased to ensure that the AAC anniversary events will run smoothly," he explained.

Deputy Governor for Cultural and Tourism Affairs Sylviana Murni confirmed that all facilities and arrangements for the implementation of the event have been readied.

"All means and facilities have been prepared as best as possible. We will ensure that before the AAC starts, everything will be ready and good," she stressed.

According to Murni, hundreds of participants will stay at the 18 star-rated hotels in the capital city.

"The Jakarta Metropolitan Police Command and the Jakarta Military Command will help us with the security arrangements. The city administration, police, and transportation officers will also be deployed to ensure the smooth implementation of the event," she emphasized.

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

The agenda of the 60th commemorative event of the AAC will include a Senior Official Meeting of Asian and African countries on April 19; a Ministerial-Level Meeting on April 20; and the Asia-Africa Business Summit on April 21 and 22.

The Asia-Africa Summit will be organized on April 22-23, 2015, in Jakarta.

On April 24, the leaders are expected to join a Historical Walk to be held in Bandung, where the first AAC was organized in April 1955.

The Bandung conference was viewed as a symbol of freedom from colonialism and as a symbol of the resurgence of Asian and African nations. Some 29 countries representing more than half of the worlds population had sent their delegates to the conference 60 years ago.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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