One of the main issues to be discussed is the importance of security derived from the support and solidarity of the African-Asian forum.

According to Tunisian Ambassador to Indonesia Mourad Belhassen, the economic focus of the upcoming conference will not suffice in forging strong Asian-African relations, as there is a need to rally against new challenges with the support of friendly countries.

Belhassen argued that the most important challenge of development for nations of both continents was stability and security from extremism.

“For this forum to be effective, we will have to tackle the problems we’re facing today. Among the issues is the rise of extremism, which is a plague haunting both continents — especially our area in the Middle East and North Africa,” Belhassen said during a seminar on strengthening South-South cooperation, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Available: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/16/int-l-community-calls-security-additional-focus.html