President Joko Widodo Arrives In Bandung To Review AAC Preparations

Bandung, West Java (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived in Bandung, West Java, at 11:20 a.m. local time, on Thursday, to observe the preparations for the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC).

The president, accompanied by several ministers such as Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, and Presidential Staff Affairs Chief Luhut Pandjaitan, arrived at the Sastranegara Airport aboard the presidential aircraft.

Officials who welcomed the president at the airport included West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil, and other officials.

Jokowi will undertake an observation tour of the location of the 60th anniversary commemoration of the AAC at the Merdeka Building, the Bandung Grand Mosque, and other locations. He will be in Bandung until Thursday evening.

The AAC's 60th anniversary celebrations will be held in Jakarta and Bandung on April 19-24. Indonesia has invited 109 Asian and African countries to attend the event. In total, 57 delegations from Asian and African nations have confirmed their attendance at the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the AAC. Of the 10 ASEAN member countries, the Philippines will not be attending the event, while Thailand has not confirmed its participation.

Events marking the AAC will include a senior official meeting on April 19, a ministerial-level meeting on April 20, the Asian-African Business Summit on April 21, and the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta on April 22-23.

In addition, heads of states 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. (WDY)