Bandung Conference and its importance in international politics and the Non-Aligned Movement 1955

Abstract

      The convening of the Bandung Conference, which is the main pillar on which the Afro-Asian bloc was built, constituted an important event on the international and regional levels and a challenge to the will of the major countries. What the Afro-Asian countries called for is supporting liberation movements and calling for the independence of states and not exploiting their national wealth by the greed of colonialism, as well as strengthening and cementing relations between Asian and African countries by concluding equal treaties and agreements, despite the strong opposition of Western powers that worked to disrupt the path of liberation movements under The cover of non-interference in the internal affairs of the countries that manage these colonies or under ideological formulations and justifications, but the conference came out with points in which it emphasized moving forward in order to achieve independence and national stability for its country.

The holding of this conference was linked to the political, economic, social and military developments that permeated the international community and crystallized in the following manifestations:

1- The emergence of manifestations of division in the international community into two camps, eastern and western, and the emergence of military, economic, and political alliances and blocs. The international competition turned into a cold war between the two camps and a manifestation of conflict in the international community.

2- The expansion of global liberation movements that oppose colonialism and control, and aim for liberation and independence.

3- The emergence of manifestations of cooperation and coordination between the countries that gained independence at that stage with the aim of preserving independence, complementing political independence with economic and social independence, providing support and assistance to countries and peoples struggling for their freedom and independence, and finding an effective place and role within the framework of international relations and the international community.

The Bandung Conference was preceded by several coordination meetings between Indonesia, Burma, Ceylon, India, and Pakistan, which were held in the city of Colombo in Ceylon, between April 28 and May 2, 1954, and in the city of Bogor in Indonesia (December 28-29, 1954). It was agreed to hold the Bandung Conference. The five countries also adopted the call for it.