NAM for tackling challenges of global recession

15th Summit begins
NAM for tackling challenges of global recession
The two-day 15th Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit began on Wednesday at the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh with a call for tackling the challenges arising out of the global economic recession.
More than 50 heads of state and government, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are attending the summit which was declared open by 14th NAM Summit Chairperson Cuban President Raul Castro.
Before going to the order of the day, the summit observed one minute silence in memory of the NAM leaders, who passed away since the last summit. “All countries of the globe must find ways to resolve the global economic crisis,” Castro told the gathering.
He said the current crisis originates from rich countries due to their unbalances and impartial international economic system. Urging the participating nations for a new world financial order Castro said “We must streamline the world financial system to take into consideration the needs of developing countries.”
After the speech, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was elected by acclamation as chairperson of the 15th NAM summit. Mubarak appealed for building a new international political, economic and trade system, which is more balanced and equitable.
He said, “This summit is a good opportunity for dialogue,” and NAM members should make use of this summit to boost solidarity.
In his address at the summit, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon called upon the NAM member countries to work together to resolve any crisis saying that no country regardless of its size or resources can solve problems alone.
He said the conditions of the world have now been drastically changed and it has started facing complex problems threatening development and security.
Ban Ki-Moon said engagement of the NAM countries has now become vital more than ever to achieving global solutions to the common problems.
Libyan Leader Mummer Gaddafi, President of the Philippines Gloria Macapaggal Arroyo and President of Dominican Republic on behalf of Latin American countries spoke on the occasion asserting on building up more unity among themselves to face any situation in future. In the opening session the NAM leaders emphasized on unitedly facing world economic crisis and the adverse effect of the climate change and international solidarity to peace and security as well as development.
At the two-day summit, leaders of 118-member NAM are expected to focus their debate on the summit theme of International Solidarity for Peace and Development.
They will also to discuss hotspot topics such as the global financial crisis, climate change, the Middle East peace process, food security, energy and nuclear issues.
The leaders are also scheduled to sign the summit’s Final Document and the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration, and approve the movement’s strategy and action plan for the future three years.
Founded in September 1961, NAM now groups 118 member states, 16 observer countries and nine observer organizations.
The movement, which represents nearly two-thirds of UN member states and comprises 55 percent of the world population, focuses on striving for interests of developing countries all over the world.

Courtesy of The Bangladesh Today