NAIROBI, April 23 -- The Asian-African summit in Indonesia presents an opportunity to revitalize cooperation between the world's most promising continents.

Kenyan scholars who spoke to Xinhua said the 21st century heralds promise and prosperity for African and Asian peoples if governments establish sound mechanisms to realize this objective.

Patrick Maluki, a Kenyan diplomacy scholar, said the African and Asian continents will reshape the world order given their rapid economic and social revival.

"The Jakarta summit will rekindle our shared dreams with the Asian continent. It will chart a new beginning in our quest to achieve economic prosperity, political and social rejuvenation, peace and prosperity," Maluki told Xinhua in an interview in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Both the Asian and African continents are the epicenters of rapid economic growth and technological innovations that have unleashed new prosperity to citizens.

The picturesque Indonesian city of Jakarta is this week hosting the Asian-African summit to be attended by political leaders, policy wonks and scholars.

Delegates will reflect on milestones covered since 1955 when African and Asian countries endorsed a communique to advance political and economic independence, territorial integrity and respect for human dignity.

Maluki expressed optimism that a robust Afro-Asian cooperation will be sustained for the long haul given the two continents' shared history and destiny.

"Our two continents have realized an economic boom in the last decade thanks to vibrant bilateral trade, harnessing of home grown innovations and a demographic dividend," said Maluki.

He said the summit offers a platform for leaders to discuss pressing challenges facing the two continents.

"Population explosion, rapid urbanization, environmental stresses and civil strife remains monumental hiccup to realization of sustainable development in our regions. The spread of infectious diseases and youth unemployment are mortal threat to progress," Maluki said.

China's economic and diplomatic clout will help accelerate transformation across Asia and Africa. Maluki said that a rising China has provided a market for commodities from countries in the global south.

"The 'look East' policy many African countries have adopted has been inspired by China's success story in many fronts. China has invested in infrastructure, industry and capacity building to modernize Africa's economies," said Maluki.

The summit will inject fresh impetus in the original ideals shared by both African and Asian countries.

Joshua Kivuva, a political scientist in the University of Nairobi, said there is renewed optimism in Africa and Asia as citizens enjoy greater prosperity and political freedoms.

"Half a century ago, the two continents were profiled as backwaters as they emerged from colonialism and failed experiment with foreign ideologies. That era is gone and currently Asia and Africa are the continents of hope," Kivuva remarked.

Leaders and policy makers from African and Asian countries will have an opportunity to share knowledge on best practices to accelerate economic growth during the Jakarta summit.

According to Kivuva, trade and South-South cooperation in diverse areas like education, technology, medicine and agriculture will feature prominently at the historic summit.

"Our bilateral trade with Asian tigers has improved. It has unleashed phenomenal growth and is crucial to stability of the world economy," said Kivuva.

A rising China has injected a new gravitas in Afro-Asia cooperation due to its diplomatic and economic might.

Kivuva said that China's rapid rise in the last decade enlarged the market for commodities from developing countries.

"China is consuming our agricultural goods, oil, gas and metals. Besides creating a formidable market for our goods, China is also a source of soft loans and technologies that have enabled us modernize the economy," Kivuva told Xinhua.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) pioneered by China will be a game changer in global development. Kivuva said that African states will benefit from Chinese led economic models.

"China has showcased the potential of home grown development models to transform lives. As African states, we must invest in education, transport, energy, health and ICTs to accelerate economic revival," said Kivuva.

He added that Chinese investments in Africa have boosted purchasing power among citizens. The Jakarta summit came at an opportune moment as the global community reactivates sustainability agenda.

Bethwel Kinuthia, an economist at the University of Nairobi, noted that African and Asian countries will play a major role in crafting sustainable development goals.

"We expect leaders gathered at the summit to pay attention to the sustainability agenda that calls for an economic development model that is inclusive and sensitive to the environment," Kinuthia said.