Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin emphasized the importance of Asian and African countries in the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) to remain solid in addressing several global issues.

"AALCO must continue to maintain its solidarity and fight for the voices of Asian and African people in the formation of international law," he stated at the opening of the 61st Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) in Nusa Dua, Bali, Monday.

According to Amin, the solidarity is also intended to combat and return assets from transnational crimes.

Transnational crimes are often committed in maritime areas and bring loss to countries in Asia and Africa, he remarked.

"I encourage AALCO to provide a solution that reflects the synergy and integrated response of Asian-African nations to tackle transnational crimes at sea that threaten lives and economic growth," the vice president emphasized.

He then drew attention to the important role of AALCO in establishing a legal framework as a foundation for mutually beneficial inter-country partnerships, especially in responding to various global problems that threaten the future of humanity and development.

Amin is optimistic that AALCO member countries would be able to regulate breakthrough solutions to current global issues, such as climate change and sustainable development, inter-country trade and international investment, maritime issues, asset confiscation, and the development of artificial intelligence.

"AALCO is expected to design a legal architecture that accommodates development in technology and artificial intelligence to support the noble ideals of the Asia-Africa Conference," he remarked.

The 1955 Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung or Bandung Conference was the forerunner to the birth of AALCO. Currently, Indonesia is chairing the 2023 AALCO Chairmanship led by Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly, as the 61st President of AALCO.

Regarding transnational crimes at sea, Laoly explained that at the 61st AALCO session, his side would seek a common perception from AALCO member countries regarding these crimes, including fishing theft.

"We will try to convey the common perceptions and opinions of the AALCO countries at the AALCO session," he remarked.

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Translator: Dewa Ketut S W, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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