(Redirected from Non-aligned)
Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (2007). Light blue states have observer status
The 'Non-Aligned Movement' ('NAM') is an
international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major
power bloc. It was founded in 1950s; as of 2007, it has 118 members. The purpose of the organization as stated in the ''Havana Declaration of 1979'' is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against
imperialism,
colonialism,
neo-colonialism,
racism,
Zionism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or
hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics".
[1] They represent nearly two-thirds of the
United Nations's members and comprise 55% of the world population.
Important members have included
Yugoslavia,
India,
Egypt,
Indonesia,
Pakistan,
Cuba,
Colombia,
Venezuela,
South Africa,
Iran,
Malaysia, and, for a time, the
People's Republic of China.
Brazil has never been a formal member of the movement, but shares many of the aims of NAM and frequently sends observers to the Non-Aligned Movement's summits. While the organization was intended to be as close an alliance as
NATO or the
Warsaw Pact, it has little cohesion and many of its members were actually quite closely aligned with one or another of the
great powers. For example,
Cuba was closely aligned with the former
Soviet Union during the
Cold War era.
India was effectively aligned with the Soviet Union against
China for many years. Additionally, some members were involved in serious conflicts with other members (e.g. India and Pakistan, Iran and Iraq). The movement fractured from its own internal contradictions when the
Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in
1979. While the Soviet allies supported the invasion, other members (particularly
Muslim nations) of the movement found it impossible to do so.
The Non-Aligned Movement has struggled to find relevance since the end of the Cold War. After the
breakup of Yugoslavia, a founding member, its successor states of Yugoslavia have expressed little interest in membership though some have observer status. In
2004,
Malta and
Cyprus ceased to be members and joined the
European Union.
Secretaries General
Between summits, the Non-Aligned Movement is run by the ''Secretary general'' elected at last summit meeting. As a considerate part of the movement's work is undertaken at the
United Nations in New York, the chair country's ambassador to the UN is expected to devote time and effort to matters concerning the Non-Aligned Movement. A Co-ordinating Bureau, also based at the UN, is the main instrument for directing the work of the movement's task forces, committees and working groups.
Member Countries
Observers
The following nations have observer status
[3]:
See also
★
G-77
★
Third World
★
New World Information and Communication Order
★
Hans Köchler (ed.), ''The Principles of Non-Alignment. The Non-aligned Countries in the Eighties -- Results and Perspectives''. London: Third World Centre, 1982. ISBN 0-86199-015-3 (
Google Print)
External links
★
New relevance for the NAM - Members of the NAM attempt to redefine the movement as a struggle against US imperialism
★
Non-Aligned Movement Online (Current Secretariat)
★
Official Site: 14th Summit - Fourteenth Non Aligned Movement Summit, (Havana, September 11-16, 2006)
★
Non-Aligned Movement - Resource site
★
Virtual newspaper "TerraViva" on the 14th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement IPS Inter Press Service reports from the summit in Havana (11 - 16 September, 2006)
References
1. Fidel Castro speech to the UN in his position as chairman of the nonaligned countries movement 12 October 1979; Pakistan & Non-Aligned Movement, ''Board of Investment - Government of Pakistan'', 2003
2. Fidel Castro, having recently undergone gastric surgery, was unable to attend the conference and was represented by his younger brother, Cuba's acting president Raúl Castro. See "Castro elected President of Non-Aligned Movement Nations", People's Daily, 16-09-2006.
3. Observer Countries, ''Non-Aligned Movement''
العربية
ä¸å›½
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिनà¥à¤¦à¥€
Italiano
日本語
Português
РуÑÑкий
Español
