Often referred to as a pivotal point in the process of decolonization, the 1955 ‘Bandung Conference’ in Indonesia brought together the heads of government of twenty-nine African and Asian countries, as well as representatives from colonies that had not yet gained independence. United by the shared struggles for national liberation, the Bandung Spirit went on to define the contours of Global South–South solidarity in the subsequent decades.
On April 29th, Serikat Petani Indonesia (SPI) held an online public discussion to commemorate this historic conference and its relevance today—especially for global food sovereignty movements.
Titled Reviving the Spirit of Asia-Africa in Upholding Food Sovereignty as an Effort to Respect Human Rights and the Sovereignty of All Nations, the webinar featured speakers from La Via Campesina organizations in Asia and Africa, a representative of the UN Working Group on Peasants’ Rights, Focus on the Global South, and the Transnational Institute.
Henry Saragih, the chairperson of SPI, opened the session.
“The ten principles that emerged from Bandung—with great emphasis on solidarity and cooperation between countries of the South—are very relevant in the current context. In 1955, those principles emerged from the collective opposition to colonialism and the efforts to build sovereign nations in the aftermath of our liberation struggles. But we continue to inhabit a world where neocolonial tendencies and neoliberal hegemony are very prevalent. Hence, the ten principles and the Bandung Spirit are as relevant now as they were then,” he said.
Zainal Arifin Fuat, a senior leader of SPI and a member of the International Coordination Committee of La Via Campesina, pointed out the lessons Bandung offers to contemporary social movements in Asia and Africa.
“The food crisis currently affecting many countries in Asia and Africa is influenced by various factors such as economic crises, political instability, natural disasters, and armed conflicts.”
He then pointed out a paradox in how the Global South is addressing these challenges—by opening doors to a flood of food imports. He cited Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program to illustrate his point.
“On one hand, it is claimed that MBG will strengthen food sovereignty, but on the other hand, the government has relaxed the Domestic Component Level policy and opened the floodgates for imports, in response to global dynamics and tariff sanctions pressure from the United States. This goes against the Bandung Spirit.”
He added that strengthening cooperation among Asian and African countries is more urgent than ever, as rural populations are confronted with food insecurity and high prices, worsened by failures in the global industrial food and trading system, triggered by wars, pandemics, and geopolitical realignment. He also drew attention to the impact of wars and conflicts on hunger, particularly highlighting the famine situation in Palestine. Drawing on the strength of the Bandung Spirit, he said:
“The governments and social movements of Asia and Africa have a historical responsibility to support the Palestinian struggle for independence, equity, and social justice.”
Cidi Otieno from the Kenyan Peasants League—a member of La Via Campesina—outlined the situation of African peasants, who are increasingly dependent on the global food system. He explained that this dependence stems from seeds produced and sold by large corporations, as well as the push to grow export crops to meet international trade demands.
“Interventions from international institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, WTO, and even China have further reinforced the shift toward export-oriented agricultural policies. It is therefore imperative to build a food system that is diverse, rooted in local needs, and managed sustainably—relying on agroecological practices that draw from traditional wisdom passed down over generations,” he emphasized.
Rachmi Hertanti from the Transnational Institute spoke in more detail about global trade and expressed concern about how countries responded to Trump’s tariffs.
“Countries responded pragmatically by adopting protectionist policies to prioritize their own interests. However, despite this shift, they remain deeply tied to the global economic system. In that sense, they haven’t really escaped globalization.”
TNI had recently analyzed in a paper that the current US administration’s protectionist policies are not a historical exception, but rather a revival of strategies that shaped the United States into an industrial power. It argued that this form of “neo-protectionism” reflects deliberate state intervention aimed at selectively shielding U.S.-based companies from foreign competition. It reveals the underlying character of the USA’s economic agenda—not as a complete rejection of neoliberalism or free trade, but as a strategic redefinition of the relationship between the state, corporations, and the global market.
Shalmali Guttal, a member of the UN Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas for Asia-Pacific and a representative of Focus on the Global South, highlighted the strong connection between the 1955 Bandung Conference and UNDROP.
“The anti-colonialism and inter-state cooperation among Global South nations, which formed the foundation of the Bandung Conference, also inspired the creation of UNDROP. The Bandung Ten Principles remain relevant in addressing current global challenges, but their implementation is often hindered by new power structures. UNDROP, along with other human rights instruments, is seen as an important tool to rebuild multilateral cooperation and shift policy paradigms to be fairer and more inclusive for peasants,” she said.
Closing the discussion, Henry Saragih emphasized the importance of broadening this historic initiative to build transnational solidarity in the contemporary context.
“The momentum of 70 years since the Asia-Africa Conference must drive us to seek justice not just for Asian and African citizens, but for all people around the world who face oppression under the neoliberal model. The Bandung Ten Principles are not only for Asia and Africa—they are for the world.”