The Asia Africa Summit - Bandung at 70: Its relevance today

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first Asia - Africa summit that took place in Bandung from 18-24 April 1955 in Indonesia.

Twenty-nine newly Independent Asian and African Countries met in what was a historical gathering of the leaders of the Developing South, recently freed from the devastation brought upon their Countries by the ravages of colonial rule. Bandung was to set in motion a new wave of South-South cooperation and solidarity and served as the precursor of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM).

The Conveners of the conference were all driven by the common goals of seeking to chart a new course of sovereign, independent and collective action in addressing the most pressing challenges as newly independent, developing nations dissatisfied at being at the margins of the global stage.

The reluctance and continued hegemonic actions by the former colonial overlords and other western powers in their interaction with countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America served as a key factor in bringing together the leaders of the newly independent states.

For South Africa the Bandung Conference was a critical platform to bring global attention to the oppressive apartheid regime that governed the country through white minority rule.

The African National Congress (ANC) the foremost liberation Organisation championing the freedom of the country both within and internationally sent two delegates to the conference namely Moses Kotane and Maulvi Chachalia to lobby support internationally for South Africa’s Freedom struggle.

The core principles that served as the catalyst in bringing together Asian and African leaders are as relevant today as they were in 1955. These core principles included political independence, mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression and non-interference in internal affairs.

It is pertinent in the current fractured geopolitical global environment to recall the ten principles adopted at the Summit, namely respect of fundamental human rights and of the objective and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. Recognition of the equality among all nations both large and small. Non-intervention or non-interference unto the internal affairs of another country. Respect of the right of every nation to defend itself, either individually or collectively in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular Interests of any of the big powers. Abstention by any country from creating pressure on other countries. Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country. Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiations, conciliations, arbitration or judicial settlements as well as other peaceful means of the party’s own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation.

All ten of the above principles echoes the common resolve of the leaders to work in cooperation and partnership in upholding and defending a rules based global order underpinned by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

However, the rules based multilateral system is under siege. There is a major trust deficit especially among the major powers of the world today contributing to the highly polarised world we live in. Presently, might is right is the ruling mantra of the day.

The paralysis of the international system of Global Governance and the rise of unilateralism is an existential threat to both planet and people. At a time when we need collective action to address the most pressing challenges facing humanity from climate change to deepening levels of poverty and inequality, protracted conflicts and trade wars, the world is fragmenting into opposing camps.

Unfortunately, the very architects of the United Nations system are at the forefront in dismantling the multilateral order and rendering it irrelevant. The UN in its current form is no longer fit for purpose, some eight years since its founding. Repeated calls and numerous resolutions aimed at reforming the UN and its institutions have yielded no results to date.

The question arises, is a defunct, outdated system still relevant in its current form?

Prime Minister Modi speaking on American Scientist Lex Freidman’s podcast recently noted that “the international organisations that were created have become almost irrelevant, there is no reform in them. Institutions like the UN cannot play their role. People in the world who do not care about laws and rules are doing everything, no one is able to stop them”.

This paralysis of the international organisations is most evident in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In December 1992 the General Assembly created an open-ended working group to review equitable representation on the UNSC.

More than three decades later, despite regular meetings there are still no tangible results. In October 2008 the UN formally launched Intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation and increase in the membership of the Council.

After over fifteen years of protracted and fruitless discussions, no progress has been made thus far, nor is there any serious desire by the Permanent 5 members of the UNSC to give up their privileged position, namely the veto.

Despite the fact that most of the countries of the Global South not being present at the formation of the UN in June 1945, the Leaders of the Bandung Summit recognised the centrality of the purposes and the principles of the UN Charter and reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and a rules based global order.

The Asia- Africa Summit gave birth to a new paradigm of South-South Cooperation and demonstrated the need for the global South to work together in championing their collective aspirations on the global stage.

Despite Bandung and the subsequent founding of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 and the G77 in 1964 the Global South continued to be on the margins of Global Geo-political and Geo- Economics, post the formation of the UN.

The Economic rise on the global stage of Global South countries over the past three decades, namely China, Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa amongst others has witnessed a tectonic shift within the global Geopolitical and Economic landscape.

South-South Cooperation has risen to the fore as most evident in the formation of BRICS where countries of the Global South are increasingly cooperating to challenge the political and economic dominance of the North in order to rebalance global power dynamics.

In the current fractured and polarised world, the global South has to proactively demonstrate leadership in forging new partnerships and alliances both among themselves as well as likeminded global North countries committed to addressing common challenges and shared interests.

The Global South has to be at the forefront in shaping the evolving multipolar world focused on a fair, just inclusive and equitable global community. The architects of Bandung will expect nothing less of us.

* Professor Anil Sooklal is the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa in India.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.