BANDUNG, Indonesia, April 24  -- Myanmar President U Thein Sein said on Friday that the Bandung Spirit remains necessary for Asian and African countries to overcome challenges they are facing.

The challenges are more complicated than 60 years ago, U Thein Sein said here during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, or the Bandung Conference, adding that in view of the current situation and prevailing conditions in Asia and Africa, the Spirit of Bandung needs to be revived "to pursue the common view and collective actions."

He said that closer cooperation and collective actions in both continents are vital to solve the issues of common concern on poverty reduction, economic development, environmental degradation, and natural disaster.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need to continue promoting practical cooperation between two continents in areas of industry, finance, tourism, information and communication technology, energy, agriculture, transportation, water resources as well as fisheries.

"The Ten Principles of Bandung" adopted during the Asian- African Conference 60 years ago provided a new pattern of international relations and remains a beacon in guiding the two continents through global and regional issues toward future progress, he said.

Leaders and delegates from some 100 Asian and African countries gathered here to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Asian- African Conference.