Minister Pandey also expressed his confidence that the faithful observance of these principles is essential for achieving international peace, security, stability and sovereign equality of the States.

Addressing the Asian-African Ministerial Meeting held at the Jakarta International Convention Centre (JICC) in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday, he expressed the belief that the commemorative event of the historic 1955 Bandung Conference event marks a fitting tribute to that unprecedented, epoch-making and visionary undertaking of forefathers, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Referring to the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership adopted in 2005, he said that the partnership needs to be further enhanced and consolidated for us to be able to cope with the emerging challenges that are both complex and multi-dimensional. He further said that reinvigoration of our political understanding and solidarity is critical to ensure sustainable peace, stability, development and prosperity in our countries.

'We can achieve this by promoting and respecting inter-cultural harmony, religious tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms and by effectively combating all forms of extremism, intolerance, hatred, terrorism and other transnational crimes.'

Focusing on the significance of the theme of the Conference "promoting South-South Cooperation for world peace and prosperity", Minister Pandey stressed the need to further consolidate our strength for more meaningful and fruitful cooperation and collaboration. Similarly, he highlighted the need to address the specific challenges of the least developed countries, landlocked countries, small island developing states as well as the countries in situation of conflict or emerging from conflict.

He further said that our solidarity is the key to our collective strength at a time when the international community is engaged in framing the post-2015 development agenda, encompassing the sustainable development goals and targets to create the world we want, and leaving no one behind, not least the poorest and most vulnerable peoples among them.

With a view to further continuing the enduring tradition of the historic Bandung Conference and to promote Asian-African solidarity, friendship and cooperation, the Ministerial Meeting is expected to conclude with recommendation for adoption by the Asian African Conference three documents including the Declaration on Reinvigorating the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, Declaration on Palestine, and Bandung Message.

The members in Nepali delegation include Acting Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Tara Prasad Pokharel, Under Secretary Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri, and Mr. Dadhiram Bhandari, Section Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Ms. Retno R.P. Marsudi and Minister for International Relation and Cooperation of South Africa Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

On the sideline later today, the Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand General Tanasak Patimapragorn. During the meeting, the two ministers explored the ways and means of further strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

Members of Nepali delegation to the Asia-Africa Ministerial Meeting as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand were present during the Meeting, adds the Ministry. RSS