Indonesia To Host Tsunami Summit Next Week

Indonesia to host tsunami summit next week

31 Dec 2004 10:00:00 GMT

Source: AlertNet

JAKARTA, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Friday it would host an international tsunami summit on Jan. 6, aimed at garnering more emergency aid for the disaster that hit the Indian Ocean region and to discuss future reconstruction needs.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said heads of state or their special representatives from the tsunami-affected countries, as well as major aid donors and international organisations, would be invited.

"The meeting is aimed at consolidating joint commitment for emergency assistance and also for future rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected countries," he said.

Sunday's tsunami was triggered by an earthquake off Indonesia's Sumatra island and swept across the Indian Ocean, killing more than 125,000 people in 13 countries.

Wirajuda said it was hoped the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations, as well as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, would attend.

Also invited would be representatives from the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, Asian Development Bank and European Union.

((Reporting by Muklis Ali, writing by Dan Eaton, editing by Geert De Clercq))