FROM JAKARTA, INDONESIA:  A three-day Asian-African Conference has begun in Indonesia capital Jakarta on Wednesday morning with an opening speech by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has joined the conference, began around 9:15am at Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Center.

After delivering welcome speech, Indonesian President opened the curtain of the three-day conference ringing bell.

PM Sheikh Hasina arrived at the venue before 9:00am.Foreign minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, PMO secretary Suraiya Begum, Bangladesh ambassador to Indonesia Nazmul Quaunine are accompanying the premier.

However, as many as 28 heads of the states or governments from Asia and Africa are attending the conference.

After inaugural session, PM Hasina is expected to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping where Foreign minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, PMO secretary Suraiya Begum, Bangladesh ambassador to Indonesia Nazmul Quaunine will also present.

Then, she will deliver her statement at the plenary session of the summit.

After lunch, the premier will join second plenary session and she will talk to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong around 2:30pm.

Later, she is expected to hold meting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at 3:00pm while a meeting will be held with Myanmar President Thein Sein at 3:35pm to strengthen trade relations.

Then, the prime minister will again join the third plenary session of the summit at 4:00pm.

Meeting with the top business leaders of Asia and Africa will also be held during the conference.

The theme of this year's summit is, ‘Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity’.

She will join dinner with the leaders of other participating countries at 7:30pm to be hosted by Indonesia President Zoko Widodo.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister, by a VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has arrived in Indonesia capital Jakarta at 3.35pm to attend a three-day Asian-African Conference there.

Indonesian environment and forest minister Nurbaya Bakar received the Prime Minister at the airport.

The premier was given a static guard of honor by the Indonesian Armed Forces, while Indonesian girls wearing their traditional dresses welcomed her at the airport.

After a warm reception, Sheikh Hasina was taken to Hotel Borobudur Jakarta through a ceremonial motorcade. She would stay in the hotel during her visit to Indonesia.

The premier is scheduled to return home on April 23.

However, Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali and foreign secretary Shahidul Haque reached Jakarta on Sunday.

A foreign secretary level meeting was held on Monday and a ministerial meeting on Tuesday.

** PM in Jakarta to join Asian-African Conference

BDST: 1048 HRS, APR 22, 2015
RS