Non-Aligned Movement Agrees to Face Challenges with Unity
Rodríguez Parrilla said that one of the main factors in making this meeting a success was the capacity to arrive at consensus. He said that even though there were disagreements, dialogue and discussion were always open and sincere which allowed the movement to coordinate a wide array of diversity. He said that the vitality of the movement lies in its unity and solidarity.
The Cuban Foreign minister said he was confident that the movement would continue to advance under the Egypt, which will take over the presidency after the 15th NAM Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt in July.
Rodríguez Parrilla said that the ministerial meeting in Havana met its objectives in agreeing on a Final Declaration draft which will be debated at the Summit meeting in Egypt.
Participating at the meeting were 112 delegations from member countries, including 60 Foreign ministers; 14 observer delegations; 10 invited countries; and 6 international organizations.
The NAM moved to include Tajikistan as an observer country. A delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran was also present at the meeting, which proposed to host the 16th NAM Summit in 2012. This proposal will now be analyzed at the July Summit meeting in Egypt.
A message was sent by UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and read by UN representative Haile Menkeiros.
Setting positions
The Final Document includes strategies on strengthening the organization and positions on important current affairs.
The international financial and economic crisis was thoroughly discussed during the meeting, especially how it affects developing countries by increasing poverty. This crisis has become a worldwide challenge to face at the same time as defending against colonialism, exploitation, the right to self-determination, economic development, social progress, the maintenance of peace and security and respect for human rights.
The Final Document highlights the importance of establishing a new international economic order with the equal participation of all developing countries.
The 500-paragraph text also appeals for multilateralism, peace and understanding and expresses its rejection toward aggression and unilateral coercive measures including extraterritorial actions and calls for strong unity and solidarity among NAM member nations.
The document calls for the reshaping and democratization of the Security Council and respect for sovereignty and self-determination, underlining that democracy is not a unique model belonging to one country or region.
Among other themes, the Non-Aligned Movement condemned terrorism in all its manifestations and highlights that these acts of aggression represent a violation of international law, especially the right to live.
This document ,which was carefully analyzed and discussed with a focus on reaching consensus, calls upon the urgent need to join efforts to ensure peace in the Middle East and the right of Palestine to be a State. It also condemns crimes committed by Israel, especially in the Gaza Strip. This movement asked the UN and the Council on Human Rights to carry out an investigation, included in a special resolution signed at this Ministerial meeting.
The document calls for the need to respect Afghanistan and Iraq sovereignty and integrity as nations.
The text acknowledges the positive social, politic and economic outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean and notes that these new changes will contribute to people’s wellbeing and to lowering poverty.
The document states that to be able to meet the needs of Africa requires strong cooperation and support as well as a multilateral financing since this is the only region that won´t achieve the Millennium Development Goals for 2015.
Solidarity with México
Delegates also expressed their solidarity with the Mexican people and government over the recent outbreak of swine flu.
In one of the special resolutions, the NAM asks the World Health Organization and international financial organizations for support Mexican authorities and people in their attempt to fight this epidemic.
Members also expressed their rejection to the imposition of unilateral sanctions in Zimbabwe, and encouraged governments and parties to eliminate them so as not to hinder the initiatives taken in this country which is being helped by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In this regard, ministers expressed their satisfaction with the Global Political Agreement signed in 2008 by the main political parties of Zimbabwe and the unity government created last February.
