REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on Asian-African countries to reinvigorate the spirit of the Asian and African Conference (AAC) and encourage cooperation in all sectors to improve the people's welfare in the region.

"I invite all leaders to rekindle the spirit of Asia-Africa, which was endorsed by our predecessors," Joko Widodo stated at the Merdeka Building here on Friday he affirmed.

He said: "we can grasp our goals through parallel cooperation."

According to the president, Indonesia had yet to break free from the clutches of poverty, and the Asian-African countries are still reeling under its impacts.

The president also urged the leaders of Asian-African countries to enhance mutual understanding, encourage world peace, and push for the independence of Palestine.

The head of state also emphasized the importance of economic cooperation.

"In addition, we should work together to improve the people's welfare, economy, and trade," he said.

The African representative, President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe stated that cooperation between Asian-African countries should continue to be improved.

"The current challenges are different, but we should not let them dampen the spirit of cooperation, so that all countries in Asia and Africa become prosperous.

While from Asia, President of Myanmar Thein Sein delivered a speech during the event.

The event was attended by the leaders of Asian and African countries, former Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri, the family of Ali Sastroamidjojo, working cabinet ministers, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, and Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil.

The Bandung mayor read out the Ten Principles of Bandung.

Earlier, some 22 heads of state/government or deputies (VVIPs) from Asian and African countries participated in the Historical Walk in Bandung, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This walk was organized as one of the events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC).

The world leaders who joined the Historical Walk were King of Swaziland Mswati III, President of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak, President of Zimbabwe Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea Kim Yong-nam, Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Rwanda Anastase Murekezi, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, and President of China Xi Jinping.

Some leaders headed to Bandung from Jakarta on board an aircraft provided by the Indonesian government, while others such as those from Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Angola, Vietnam, and South Africa used the aircraft of their respective countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, King of Jordan Abdullah II, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Vice President of Seychelles Danny Faure, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al Hamdallah, and Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, had earlier confirmed that they would not participate in the event.

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