Jakarta, Indonesia – March 20, 2025, marked 70 years since the Asia-Africa Conference was held in Bandung, Indonesia. To commemorate this historic event, which laid the foundation for South-South Cooperation, CELIOS organized a public discussion titled “Echoes of the Bandung Conference: Reinventing South-South Cooperation,” held on April 15, 2025.

The event was attended by various parties, including academics, diplomats, and experts in international relations. Centered on the importance of South-South Cooperation and its relevance today, the discussion took the audience back to the Asia-Africa Conference and invited them to explore the potential that lies ahead.

At the discussion, Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of MENA-Indonesia at CELIOS, stated, “The turmoil in the global economy, especially following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on various countries, has created new challenges for many. As access to the U.S. domestic market becomes increasingly restricted, commodity-supplying countries need to turn toward more promising regions. This, in turn, presents new opportunities for Global South countries to strengthen trade cooperation among themselves, both as an act of solidarity and as a strategy for responding to Trump’s tariff policies. This is why South-South Cooperation must reemerge to address global issues in the modern era. Beyond economics, South-South solidarity is also deeply tied to issues of national sovereignty. The ongoing crisis in Gaza, Palestine, should serve as a critical reminder for Global South countries to work together to end the humanitarian and sovereignty crisis there, and to affirm the Palestinian people's sovereignty over land occupied by Israel.”

In line with this statement, Dinna Prapto Raharja, Co-founder of Synergy Policies, emphasized at the same event, “It is crucial for us to reflect, 70 years after the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, on whether the events we experienced as a nation in 1955 are repeating themselves today. I urge policymakers, as well as all members of society who are familiar with the spirit of the Asia-Africa consensus, to reconsider how, despite our economic limitations at the time, we were still able to create a new spirit and boldly resist colonialism together—not just through rhetoric, but through real, tangible action.”

The cornerstone of South-South solidarity lies not only in national sovereignty, but also in collaboration and economic cooperation among countries of the Global South. This value is also reflected in the concrete steps Indonesia has taken through its long-term economic policies.

Tyas Baskoro Her Witjaksono Adji, Director of Intra- and Inter-Regional Cooperation for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, stated, “South-South Cooperation not only supports development goals but also plays a key role in facilitating market access, promoting global peace, addressing global challenges, and managing natural disasters. From Indonesia’s perspective, these goals are also reflected in our 2025–2045 long-term development plan, which mandates that South-South Cooperation be directed toward driving economic transformation and strengthening Indonesia’s role in the international arena. Moreover, as an active participant in South-South Cooperation, Indonesia’s role has undergone a significant transformation from beneficiary country to donor country, reflecting its growing capacity and commitment to contributing to the development of other nations.”

This discussion offered the perspective that reflecting on the Bandung Conference would amount to mere rhetoric if it relied solely on words without action. South-South solidarity must be grounded in the collective commitment of all participating countries. Economic cooperation, humanitarian support, and a joint focus on resolving ongoing conflicts must be pursued together to realize a future aligned with the mandate of the 1955 Bandung Conference.

Click here to watch the full event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWde8RxU8k8&t=2917s

Press Release_Public Discussion Echoes of the Bandung Conference_ Reinventing South-South Cooperation Download

vMix Capture 15 April 2025 10-20-29 Download