Bandung, Indonesia – The Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) made a significant contribution to the Asia-Africa Festival by sending international student delegates to participate in the event, held in conjunction with the 69th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC). The UPI students included Rizwan Khan from India, Gilbert Korku Akubia from Ghana, Hatyja Kakajanova from Turkmenistan, Epifania Rianti Do Rego Tilman Suri from Timor-Leste, Abdurrauf Umar from Nigeria, and Wanale Salama from Uganda. They were accompanied by two staff members from the Directorate of International Affairs, Mr. Dian Herdiana and Mr. Firman Maulana. Despite weather challenges, the event proceeded smoothly, with all participants fully engaged until the end.
The 69th anniversary of the AAC, commemorated on July 6-7, 2024, along Jalan Asia Afrika and Jalan Braga, emphasized looking towards the future rather than just remembering the past. “We don’t just remember our history; we are looking at the future. This is the effort to build a strong Asia and Africa we wish to become,” stated Bambang during the event.
This year’s anniversary is seen as a precursor to the 70th-anniversary celebration planned for 2025. The decadal anniversary of the AAC has always been a significant event, eagerly anticipated by people across Asia and Africa. The 2015 AAC celebration remains a memorable milestone.
West Java Acting Governor Bey Machmudin praised the efforts of the Bandung Municipal Government in organizing the 69th AAC anniversary events. Despite the rain, Bey noted that the atmosphere remained vibrant. He extended his gratitude to the people of Bandung, tourists, and international delegates for their participation, expressing hope that everyone enjoyed the event. “The event was lively. We believe the community enjoyed it. Here, we remind ourselves of unity in our diverse cultures. We also recall the points of the Bandung Declaration,” Bey said.
Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the continued relevance of the 1955 Bandung AAC’s spirit in today’s world. She highlighted the challenges facing Asian and African nations, particularly the quest for full independence. “There are more than 27 representatives from different delegations. We had a city tour around Bandung using Bandros buses. We feel that the spirit of the 1955 Bandung AAC is still significant today,” Siti remarked. “We want all the countries of Asia and Africa to be free. It is one of our important tasks that Palestine must completely be independent. In this struggle, Indonesia shall be at the forefront,” she added.
