We have become a model country as we have combined democracy, stability and economic development ..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has become a model country in the Asian and African region as it has transformed into an emerging power without the imposition of military acts, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said.
"We have become a model country as we have combined democracy, stability and economic development to become an emerging power without the implementation of military power," Marsudi stated after delivering her remarks at a seminar here on Tuesday.
According to the minister, Indonesia is always ready to cooperate with other countries to work in tandem to grow together, and to share its prosperity with other Asian and African countries.
By combining the three factors, Indonesia is able to play a significant role in the region, Marsudi added.
"It would be good if other Asian and African nations also combine these three factors," she noted.
Therefore, as the host of the 60th Asian-African Conference (AAC), the minister revealed that Indonesia was promoting the strengthening of South-South cooperation and the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership as the primary theme of the events scheduled for the upcoming occasion.
Moreover, several official meetings will be held from April 19 to 23. Among these meetings is the Asian-African Business Summit (AABS), which Indonesia has scheduled for April 21 as one of the side events of the conference.
More than 200 CEOs from 47 countries will attend AABS, which is also the first such meeting to be organized for businessmen from the two continents.
Marsudi further noted that AABS will serve to connect the business sectors of Asia and Africa as other organizations had, so far, been linking Asia with other regions. For instance, APEC linked it with the Asia-Pacific, ASEM linked it with Europe, and FEALAC, with South America.
"This process will help to capitalize on Asian and African potentials through a structured organization. It will take time, but, hopefully, we will commit to achieving it step by step," she remarked.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, 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 officials meeting on April 19, a ministerial-level meeting on April 20, AABS on April 21, and the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta on April 22 and 23.
In addition, heads of states of participating countries will take part in the historical walk, which will be held in Bandung on April 24.
(Uu.INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: By Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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