Non-Aligned Movement still holds relevance for Bangladesh: Shahriar Alam

Bangladesh still believes in the ‘relevance’ of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said at the summit in Venezuela. He was representing the prime minister at the summit.

Alam recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s role in Bangladesh’s joining the Movement in 1973 and said that inspired by his legacy, “Bangladesh firmly believes in the continued relevance of NAM in the ever changing global realities”, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

The two-day summit, the 17th of its kind, ended at Margarita Island of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on Sep 18 with a declaration for world peace and prosperity. President Nicolás Maduro Moros chaired the meet.

NAM was set up during the Cold War era as an association of countries that did not wish to take sides with either the US or the Soviet Union. The first summit of the group took place in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia, in 1961.

With the Soviet Union now dismantled and the Cold War over, after 55 years there are controversies over the objectives of the organisation.

It has now evolved more as a forum for developing countries where representatives of over 100 member states express their views on different issues, particularly on global challenges for world peace.

Bangladesh, with its foreign policy based on the concept of ‘friendship for all and malice to none’, has been a strong believer in the goals of the Movement.

The state minister represented the country at this year’s summit as Sheikh Hasina is attending the UN General Assembly in New York.

He highlighted the contemporary global issues in his speech, and called upon the member states to strengthen global governance of migration for ensuring adequate, safe, regular and orderly migration and prioritise climate change issues.

He also emphasised South-South cooperation, which is cooperation between the developing countries, so that NAM can remain “active” in setting the agenda for global peace and addressing the emerging security threats, said the foreign ministry.

On Bangladesh, Alam highlighted the government’s “continuous efforts in strengthening democracy and justice by empowering people, especially women, and ensuring sustained growth and human development.”

He also reiterated the ‘zero tolerance’ stance of the Prime Minister against terrorism and violent extremism of all forms.

He also informed the summit about Bangladesh’s contribution to global peace and security as one of the top peacekeeper contributing countries.

The Venezuela declaration highlighted the theme of the summit, which is ‘Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development’.

The NAM leaders adopted a declaration incorporating a 21-point objective, within which are a strengthening of international peace and security, promotion and protection of human rights, combating terrorism, and full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

The president of Venezuela called for establishing a South-South Bank in an effort to strengthen economic ties among the member states of NAM.