NAM Mid-term Ministerial Meeting wraps up in Baku
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial Conference, titled “Promoting international peace and security for sustainable development”, wraps up in Baku.
Foreign ministers of India, Turkey, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Palestine, Ecuador, as well as President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák also attended the Summit.
Strength in solidarity! EAM @SushmaSwaraj in the group photo of 120-member strong Non-Aligned Movement (#NAM) family at the beginning of 18th NAM Ministerial Conference in #Baku. India is proud to be associated with this unique international organisation since it's inception. pic.twitter.com/Sw9UhK8Kb9
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 5, 2018
The opening speeches were made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who is the chair of the NAM ministerial conference, for the current year.
Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj noted that an effective multicultural approach is needed to tackle global problems such as nuclear security and terrorism. Also, she spoke about the relevance of Non-Alignment Movement in the New World Order.
“The fundamental values and principles on which the Non Aligned Movement is based are, therefore, even more relevant today.” EAM @SushmaSwaraj at NAM Ministerial Conference in Baku. Read it at https://t.co/Cv1AOvPlTM pic.twitter.com/5MouTTDwqs
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 5, 2018
“The challenges we face today such as nuclear escalation, armed conflict, refugee flows, terrorism, poverty and worsening environmental degradation – all require more effective multilateralism. The fundamental values and principles on which the Non-Aligned Movement is based are, therefore, even more, relevant today,” she said.
She described how in 2015, India adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to find solutions to the developmental challenges we face. Where New Delhi, promised that “no one will be left behind” and genuine global partnerships have to be forged if the SDGs are to be achieved.
Her speech included last year’s launch of the ‘India-UN Development Partnership Fund’ in collaboration with the UN’s Office, for South-South Cooperation to open up a new pathway for collaboration amongst developing countries.
She reminded the Global North community about their responsibility which they share towards the Global South as there is no substitute for them.
Furthermore, she speaks about the initiative of Prime Minister Modi, where India along with France launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) through which more than 60 countries have joined to promote greater use of solar energy.
“I call upon friends, who have so far not joined the Alliance, to seriously consider doing so,” EAM said.
“The strengthening and implementation,without double standards of existing international laws and mechanisms to fight the menace of terrorism is an imperative.” Watch EAM @SushmaSwaraj’s speech at NAM Ministerial conference at https://t.co/NJc9FwxVL5 pic.twitter.com/MivyY7jYhG
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 5, 2018
The other Member States
Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees said in his speech that the conference promotes peace and security.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas stressed the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding for achieving sustainable development.
Fatima Kyari Mohammed, the African Union’s Permanent Observer to the UN, said the African Union is concerned about threats to global peace and security.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki emphasized that the Non-Aligned Movement plays a fundamental role in preserving peace and security in the world.
Libya’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala said that the NAM conference such issues as confrontation, terrorism, extremism, and the priority of this organization is solidarity, unity, security and cooperation in the economic area.
Lesego Makgothi, Minister for International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs of Lesotho, noted that the Non-Aligned Movement is associated with the promotion of peace and security for sustainable development.
“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan poses a threat to peace. The UN has adopted resolutions on this conflict. We express our concern over the protracted settlement of the conflict,” he added.
Chadian Foreign Minister Mahamat Zene Cherif underscored the need for the global approach to ensure the stability.
About 800 delegates from 120 countries reflected in the Baku Declaration the commitment of the Non-Aligned Countries Movement (NAM) with the Palestinian cause, rejected the interference in internal affairs and the use of threat and force for pursuing political ends.
Azerbaijan will host the XVIII Summit of the NAM in 2019 and will chair the organization between 2019 -2022.
Read: Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj Full Speech at NAM Mid-term Ministerial Meeting
Source: PIB, MEA India, APA Azerbaijan Nancy Maibam The Kootneeti Team - Eurasia Desk
