Ten countries, six int'l organizations to observe Asia Africa Conference

Jakarta, April 16 (Antara) - Ten countries and six international organizations will be the observer participants of the 60th Asia-Africa Conference (AAC), Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir stated. Nasir explained the details regarding the AAC's observer participants during a press briefing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry's office here on Thursday. Ten countries would represent other continents apart from Asia and Africa. The ten observer countries are Australia, Belgium, Cuba, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and Venezuela. The United Nations (UN), African Union, Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Arab League, and South Center will also attend the conference as the observer participants. Nasir remarked that a total of around 3.6 thousand participants from 77 countries and six international organizations will attend the 60th AAC in Jakarta on April 19-23 and the historical walk in Bandung, West Java, on April 24. "Usually, the number will continue to increase as the event draws closer," he pointed out. With regard to the preparations for the event, Nasir noted that the materials for the conference were 90 percent complete, while the logistic preparations were almost complete. "Today, Mr. President and the national committees will hold the final review of the AAC's preparations in Bandung," revealed Nasir. The spokesperson stated that the final review would be scheduled in Jakarta on the weekend. 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. The heads of state will also 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.