A dummy's guide to the Asian-African Summit<\/p>\n
Indonesia hosts one of the biggest gatherings of world leaders
\noutside of the United Nations. Below is a quick guide to the
\nconference that will bring together leaders and senior officials
\nfrom 106 countries.<\/p>\n
FROM BANDUNG 1955 TO JAKARTA 2005<\/p>\n
The 1955 Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, West Java, was a
\nlandmark meeting where the Third World sought to assert itself
\nfor the first time.<\/p>\n
One aim of this week's meetings is to commemorate the
\nconference in Bandung 50 years ago, the first world summit that
\ngathered former colonized Asian and African nations. A total of
\n29 countries attended that event, which led to the creation of
\nthe Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.<\/p>\n
The Summit in Jakarta is an opportunity to close a gap in
\nglobal relations and boost economic and trade ties between the
\ntwo continents, building on the \"Bandung spirit\" of solidarity by
\ncreating something tangible.<\/p>\n
THE MEETINGS
\nForeign ministers will meet today in Jakarta, with their
\ncountries' leaders gathering on Friday and Saturday this week.
\nThe leaders will take a nostalgic trip to Bandung on Sunday.<\/p>\n
WHO IS COMING?
\nMore than 106 nations will send representatives, including
\nobservers from countries such as the United States and Russia.
\nAround 60 heads of government are expected. Other notable
\nattendees include UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.<\/p>\n
A FEW FACTS ON ASIA AND AFRICA
\nAsia dwarfs Africa in population and economic size.
\nAfrica is home to approximately 850 million people, compared to
\nthe Asian population east of Afghanistan of around 3.5 billion.
\nAfrica's gross domestic product in 2004 was US$633 billion.
\neastern Asia's GDP's was nearly $9 trillion.<\/p>\n
SURVIVORS OF THE ORIGINAL CONFERENCE?
\nOnly one, Cambodia's retired King Norodom Sihanouk, who attended
\nas a youthful 32-year-old leader. Indonesia has said it wanted to
\ninvite the now ailing Sihanouk to attend the summit, but he
\ndeclined to meet with representatives from Jakarta. --Reuters\/JP<\/p>",
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