Seventy Years After Bandung: The Struggle Continues

Strategic Insights -

Senator Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, delivered the keynote address at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) conference, marking the 70th anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference. Reflecting on the enduring significance of the Bandung ideals, Senator Rehman emphasized Pakistan's commitment to the spirit of the conference. She noted that in 1955, 29 newly independent Asian and African nations, representing 1.5 billion people, gathered to reject colonial domination and racial hierarchies. Senator Rehman highlighted the contemporary challenges facing the world, warning that the spirit of Bandung is under siege due to populisms, protectionisms, and the dismantling of the rules-based order.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 1955 Bandung Conference brought together 29 newly independent Asian and African nations, representing 1.5 billion people, to reject colonial domination and racial hierarchies.
  • Senator Rehman emphasized the need for the Bandung spirit to mobilize solutions across and within countries, citing strategic patience and de-escalation as key principles.
  • The world is facing the highest number of conflicts since World War II, with development gains being wiped out through wars.
  • Global inequalities persist, with the richest 1% controlling nearly 50% of the world's wealth, and over 700 million people living in extreme poverty.
  • Climate injustice is a significant concern, with $7 trillion being invested in fossil fuels globally, despite progress like the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27.
  • Pakistan suffered significant climate-related losses in 2022, with 1/3rd of the country being submerged due to floods.
  • Senator Rehman strongly criticized India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a dangerous violation of the international rules-based order.

Statistics:

  • 1.5 billion people were represented by 29 newly independent Asian and African nations at the 1955 Bandung Conference (Source: Senator Rehman's address).
  • 1/3rd of Pakistan was submerged due to climate-driven floods in 2022 (Source: Senator Rehman's address).
  • $7 trillion are being invested in fossil fuels globally (Source: Senator Rehman's address).
  • 700 million people live in extreme poverty globally (Source: Senator Rehman's address).
  • 60% of low-income countries are either in or at high risk of debt distress (Source: World Bank).
  • The richest 1% control nearly 50% of the world's wealth (Source: Senator Rehman's address).

Sources:

  • Senator Sherry Rehman's keynote address at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) conference
  • World Bank data on debt distress and poverty