President Mbeki to Conclude Asia-Africa Summit Ahead of Visit to Bandung

Jakarta - President Thabo Mbeki will today, Saturday 23 April 2005, conclude his participation as co-host of the Asia-Africa Summit ahead of the Golden Jubilee Commemoration of the 1955 Bandung Conference in Bandung, Indonesia.

Summit will adopt the outcome of the Africa-Asia Summit which includes recommendations on the:
· New Asian-African Strategic Partnership;
· Asia-Africa co-operation on disaster reduction;
· New Asian-African Partnership Plan of Action; and
· Agenda and programme of activities of the Asian-African Strategic Partnership.

In addition, President Thabo Mbeki held discussions with the Heads of State of Nigeria, China and Malawi - President Olusegan Obasanjo, President HU Jintao, and Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, and United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Bandung Conference of 1955

President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will tomorrow, Sunday 24 April 2005 participate in the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Bandung Conference of 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia.

The programme will include a Historic Special Walk by President and Mrs Mbeki and Minister Dlamini Zuma on the Asian-African Street from the Savoy Homman Hotel to Gedung Merdeka.

This will be followed by an address and statement by an African representative and the signing of the Asian-African Summit outcome.

President Mbeki will then participate in the planting of the Asian-African Tree at the Tegala Garden in Bandung.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
23 April 2005