Presidential Palace, Kabul: H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, departed this morning for Indonesia, where he will address the 2005 Asian-African Summit and lead the Afghan delegation participating in the associated meetings.

The 2005 Asian-African Summit will be held on 22 and 23 April, and will bring together leaders from more than 100 countries across the globe. Afghanistan was among the original 29 countries which participated in the Asian-African Conference in 1955, and the President will also travel to Bandung, Indonesia, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Conference on 24 April.

The Asian-African Summit aims to promote friendship, cooperation, peace and understanding among its member nations. The Summit this year is being co-chaired by Indonesian President Yudhoyono and South African President Mbeki.