PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) Museum continues to be one of Bandung's leading historical tourist destinations. Not only does it preserve the important story of the birth of solidarity between Asian and African nations, but the museum, located in the Merdeka Building area, is also a magnet for students, domestic and international tourists.

Head of the Publication and Values Section of the Asian-African Conference (AAC), Christoforus Katon, explained that the AAC Museum was born from the idea of the then Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja. The idea emerged after many Asian and African leaders wanted to visit the Merdeka Building, the historic site of the 1955 Asian-African Conference.

"The idea to establish a museum arose to immortalize the history and spirit of the Asian-African Conference. The proposal was submitted at the 25th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference in 1980 and received support from President Soeharto. The Asian-African Conference Museum was finally inaugurated on April 24, 1980, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference," said Christoforus in an official statement on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The Asian-African Conference Museum (AAC) showcases a diverse collection that takes visitors on a journey through the history of world diplomacy. These include a diorama of the Opening Session of the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, a collection of journalistic equipment, archived photographs and historical documents, and a documentary film chronicling the conference and its impact on global developments.

In addition to displaying the history of the implementation of the Asia-Africa Conference, this museum also invites visitors to learn about the long journey of the Merdeka Building which witnessed the birth of the spirit of peace and cooperation between nations.

Public interest in visiting the Asian-African Conference (AAC) Museum continues to grow. From January to June 2026, the museum welcomed over 35,000 visitors, predominantly domestic tourists and student groups. Meanwhile, over 3,500 international visitors visited during the same period.

To provide a more immersive experience, the Asian-African Conference Museum provides educators or tour guides for groups who have made reservations. This service is available in Indonesian, English, and Mandarin, catering to tourists from various countries.

All visits to the KAA Museum are free of charge. Individual and group visitors can simply make a reservation through mkaa.kemlu.go.id/halaman/registrasi-simkuring. Groups must make a reservation in advance through the museum administration before completing the visit form.

The Asian-African Conference Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. WIB, with a break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. WIB. On Fridays, service hours are adjusted to coincide with Friday prayers.

In addition, the KAA Museum received group visits in the morning session at 09.00-12.00 WIB, only receiving 250 people, while in the afternoon session at 13.00-15.00 WIB, it received 200 people.

According to Christoforus, the Asia-Africa Conference, held from April 18–24, 1955, at the Merdeka Building, was attended by 29 Asian and African countries. This historic event marked a significant milestone in the birth of a spirit of cooperation among developing nations in the struggle for independence, equality, and world peace.

He hopes that the values born from the Asia-Africa Conference will continue to be passed on to the younger generation.

"The 1955 Asia-Africa Conference taught us the importance of solidarity and cooperation between individuals and nations in maintaining world unity and peace," he said.

As one of the world's historical icons located in the heart of Bandung City, the Asian-African Conference Museum is not only a place to store memories of the past, but also a learning space that inspires the current generation to continue to nurture the spirit of brotherhood, diplomacy and global peace.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)