Bandung Conference

The Bandung Conference was a panel of Asian and African countries. Most of these countries were recently independent. The conference took place between 18 and 24 April 1955 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

The 29 countries that took part in the Bandung Conference had almost 54% of the world's population (around 1.5 billion). Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) staged the meeting. The secretary-general of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ruslan Abdulgani, piloted this meeting.

Objectives of the Bandung Conference

Attendees at the Bandung Conference published a declaration that outlined several specific objectives. These objectives included the encouragement of financial and cultural collaboration, human rights protection, and the self-determination principle, a plea to abolish all forms of racial discrimination, a reminder of the need for peaceful cohabitation, and a focus on the possibilities for partnership among third-world countries to minimize their dependency on Europe and North America.

Historical Background of the Bandung Conference

• President Sukarno of Indonesia and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India were important organizers in the drive to form an unbiased movement that would earn the backing of Asia and Africa's newly rising countries.
• On the eve of India's independence, Nehru acquired the concept during the Asian Relations Conference (India) in March 1947.
• In January 1949, a 19-nation (second) meeting on the position of Indonesia was convened in New Delhi, India.
• A new African or Asian country emerged with its diplomatic alliance and a desire to incorporate into the global system almost every month.
• China's Mao Zedong had the prudent acumen to anticipate that an anti-imperialist and anti-colonial nationalist program would mop Africa and Asia during these years, despite maintaining strong relations with the Soviet Union.
• Indonesia suggested a worldwide conference during the Colombo Powers summit in April 1954.
• In late December 1954, a planning committee convened in Bogor, West Java, and formally resolved to organize the conference in April 1955.
• Amid Cold War tensions, the Bandung Conference contemplated what the organizers saw as a reticence by Western countries to confer with them on matters affecting Asia.
• Sukarno was positioned as the leader of this confederation of nations, called "Newly Emerging Forces" (NEFOS) by himself.
• The United Nations reported on 4 December 1954, that Indonesia had effectively brought the subject of West New Guinea on the schedule of the General Assembly in 1955.

Participating Countries in the Bandung Conference

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The 1955 Bandung Conference was the culmination of political foresight and diligent organization. It was the first time independent leaders met at the summit level.

The Bandung Conference left a lasting influence, inspiring developing-country organizations such as the NAM and the G77.

FAQs on Bandung Conference

Q1. When was the Bandung Conference held?

Ans. The Bandung Conference took place from 18 April to 24 April 1955.

Q2. Where was the Bandung Conference held?

Ans. The Bandung Conference took place in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

Q3. What was the purpose of the Bandung Conference?

Ans. The Afro-Asian countries' intent to play an autonomous and constructive role in international affairs was reflected in the Bandung Conference.

Q4. Who participated in the Bandung Conference?

Ans. Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Burmese Prime Minister U Nu, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Chinese Premier and Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai were among the international leaders who attended the Bandung Conference.