Tuesday, April 19 2005 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jakarta: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be among leaders from about 100 countries attending a summit of Asian and African countries in Jakarta, aimed at reinvigorating the Non-Aligned Movement and fostering closer cooperation between the two continents.

The Prime Minister will be joined by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh at the two-day Asia-Africa Conference beginning April 22 on 'Reinvigorating the Bandung Spirit: Working towards a New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.'

The meet is being held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Summit, which was the first major move by the Third World to assert itself and saw the birth of the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the Summit the leaders will launch the New Asian African Strategic Partnership, as a testimony to the strong commitment of Asian-African nations in working together towards a better future.

"This will mark the rise of newer and closer cooperation among the countries of the two continents," sources said.

The summit will be co-chaired by President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will also address the meet.

Heads of Government from countries like India, Japan and China and other Asian-African countries, Executive Directors, Secretary General from Sub-Regional Organisations in Asia, Africa and observers representing Governments of non-Asian African countries, multilateral, regional institutions will attend the Summit.