Indonesia's President Joko Widodo delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Asian African Conference in Jakarta April 22, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

JAKARTA - Challenges and struggle faced by Asian and African nations are not yet to be resolved, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Widodo, opening the Asian-African Summit 2015, said while recalling the events of the first Asian-African conference held 60 years ago in Bandung, Indonesia.

"Now, 60 years later, in a different global situation, the colonized nations have gained their independence and sovereignty, but our struggle is far from over," said the president.

Highlighting this year's theme of "Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity," Widodo drew the focus of those present to the plight of the Palestinians and the need for a new collective economic structure to support the struggle for stability and equality throughout the two continents.

He also demanded the reform of the United Nations for better functioning.

The leaders attending the event are to share experience, strengthen partnerships and discuss strategies to overcome common challenges and boost economic development in both continents through stronger South-South cooperation, said the president.

This year's Asian-African Conference events, running from April 19 to April 24, hosted leaders and delegates from some 100 Asian and African nations, 15 observer countries and 17 international organizations.