10 february 2018_final

Non-Aligned Movement strengthening
Multilateralism
By IINS Research Team
NAM was initiated to sustain peace within the developing
nations but it also aimed at gaining economic stability
and sufficiency in the member nations. During the years
the focus of Non-Aligned Summits therefore shifted
away from essentially politically issues, to the advocacy
of solutions to global economic and other problems.
Later submits of NAM were all the more concentrated
on conducive policies for economic development
utilizing and strengthening South-South cooperation.
The Summit of Jakarta in 1992 was a turning point
in Non-Aligned history since this was the first Summit
after the end of the Cold War. It allowed the Movement
to shift its focus in a direction that also enabled it to
work across to groupings such as the G-7 and the EU.
The founders of the Non-Aligned Movement and their
successors recognised that the Movement would
probably be destroyed if they created such formal
structures for the Movement as a constitution and
“The practice of the Movement is to make all
decisions by consensus. Consensus has enhanced
the solidarity and unity of the Movement. This
concept presupposes understanding of and respect
for different points of view, including disagreement
and implies mutual accommodation on the basis of
which agreement can emerge by a sincere process
of adjustment among member nations in the true
spirit of Non-Alignment”
News From Non -Aligned World
the same time also delegated certain responsibilities for
promoting the principles and activities of the Movement.
The Coordinating Bureau is the vocal point for
coordination. The Bureau reviews and facilitates
the harmonisation of the work of the NAM Working
Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees.
The Heads of State or Government entrusted the
Coordinating Bureau with the task of intensifying its
actions to further strengthen coordination and mutual
cooperation among Non-Aligned countries, including
unified action in the United Nations and other
international foray on issues of common concern. All
NAM Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces
and Committees meet as often as necessary. In the
fulfillment of their mandates due regard is paid to
coordination, efficiency and preparedness.
It is necessary that the NAM countries elected to the
Security Council, and who form the NAM Caucus in
the Security Council, constantly strive to adopt unified
positions, and that the decisions and the positions of NAM
as adopted at its Summits and Ministerial Conferences
and by the Coordinating Bureau be properly reflected
by them in the Security Council, without prejudice to
their sovereign rights. In order to promote coordination
and cooperation between the NAM and the Group of 77
in promoting the interests of developing countries in
international forum, a Joint Coordinating Committee of
the two groups was established in 1994, which meets
regularly in New York.
internal secretariat. A multilateral trans-national
organisation made up of states with differing
ideologies and purposes could never create a rational
administrative structure to implement its policies that
all could accept.
The Non-Aligned Movement has created a unique form
of administrative style. Non-Aligned administration is
non-hierarchical, rotational and inclusive, providing
all member states, regardless of size and importance,
with an opportunity to participate in global decisionmaking
and world politics. The Summit is the occasion
when the Movement formally rotates its Chair to the
Head of State of the host country of the Summit, who
then holds office until the next Summit. The Chair is at
The practice of the Movement is to make all decisions
by consensus. Consensus has enhanced the solidarity
and unity of the Movement. This concept presupposes
understanding of and respect for different points of
view, including disagreement and implies mutual
accommodation on the basis of which agreement can
emerge by a sincere process of adjustment among
member nations in the true spirit of Non-Alignment.
The Cartagena Document on Methodology states that
consensus, while signifying substantial agreement,
does not require implying unanimity. In sensitive
issues, the NAM tradition is to pay attention to
openness and the holding of extensive consultations
with the broadest possible participation. The Bureau
of the Meeting, with its representative capacity, should
render its assistance.
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February, 2018