This non-aligned movement (NAM) is made up of 120 countries that do not have formal ties to any major power bloc. NAM is the largest group of nations after the United Nations. About two-thirds of the United Nations’ members are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, which accounts for 55% of the world’s population. The Non-Aligned Movement is mostly composed of countries that are considered developing or part of the Third World, though some developed nations are also members. 

NAM’s first summit conference was held in September 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. At the fifth conference in 1976, the term “non-aligned movement” was first used, with participating countries designated as “members of the movement”. 

Background

During the Cold War, Josip Broz Tito founded the Non-Aligned Movement as an association of states that refused to formally align themselves with the Soviet Union or the United States but rather pursued an independent or neutral position. The Asia-Africa Bandung Conference, held in Indonesia in 1955, was the catalyst for discussions that led to the creation of the group. An international planning meeting took place in Cairo, Egypt, from June 5–12, 1961, prior to the first NAM Summit Conference. The discussion at this meeting focused on the goals of a policy of nonalignment, which was adopted as a membership criterion. 

Purpose of The Non- Aligned Movement

• Specifically, to enhance the role of the UN as a central actor in multilateralism.
• The promotion of friendship and cooperation among all nations that is based on the principles of international law, especially those enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
• Promoting, defending, and protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, based on the principles of universality, objectivity, impartiality, and non-selectivity, without politicising human rights issues, to ensure the safeguarding, promotion, and protection of all human rights for individuals and for all people, including the right to development.
• Providing a forum to coordinate the policies of developing countries so that their common interests can be promoted and defended.
• To defend and maintain peace and security throughout the world and to settle disputes peacefully according to the guiding principles of the UN Charter and international law.
• To strengthen unity, solidarity, and cooperation among developing countries by setting priorities and values that are mutually agreed upon.
• Coordinate all actions and strategies with the aim of addressing jointly the threats to international peace and security, including acts of aggression, colonialism, and foreign occupation, as well as any other breach of the peace caused by any country or group of countries.

Main Achievements of The Non-Aligned Movement

• The most significant accomplishment of the NAM movement was that it initiated an active international struggle for global peace during the height of the cold war and militarism. The NAM movement fought against some of the regional conflicts and was actively engaged in efforts to end the Cold War.
• Due to the greater acceptance of NAM among newly independent countries, it prevented the bipolarization of world affairs to a substantial extent.
• The NAM has consistently contributed to strengthening the United Nations Organisation as one of its most notable contributions. Non-aligned countries exerted considerable influence over the General Assembly because of their numerical strength. In various parts of the world, these countries have supported UN peacekeeping operations.
• A clear call for the end of colonialism and the dismantlement of imperialism caused people of colonised countries to demand the right to self-determination and an end to neo-colonialism of all kinds. The decolonization of the world was also accelerated by it. As a result of the bold calls made by NAM countries to end racial discrimination in South Africa, the African National Congress under Nelson Mandela eventually triumphed.

60th Anniversary of The Non-Aligned Movement

Observing the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, a two-day summit was organised in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, on October 11 and 12, 2021. As part of commemorating the First Non-Aligned Movement Summit, the event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev provided the opening address through video. Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Nikola Selaković  emphasised that membership in the European Union is Serbia’s strategic goal, but the country will not abandon its traditional friends, China, Russia, and other members of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

Reflecting on the movement’s history, Indian representative Meenakashi Lekhi called for introspection if the movement is to maintain its relevance. He also reminded the non-named members to avoid divisive agenda items and bilateral score-settling, which hinder the movement’s effectiveness. Several speakers highlighted the inequity between developed and developing nations regarding vaccines.

Conclusion

With the help of the movement, countries in the third world have formed strong ties with international organisations, including the United Nations. As the NAM moves forward, the challenges it faces include defending the principles of international law, eliminating weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism, defending human rights, and advocating for increased effectiveness of the UN in meeting the needs of all its members, as well as achieving justice in the international economic system. Meanwhile, the movement continues to work towards its long-term goals. Nonaligned countries have always aimed for peace, development, economic cooperation, and the democratisation of international relations. Considering the goals that need to be attained and the challenges that are arising, the Non-Aligned Movement is urged to maintain a prominent position in current international relations to serve its member states’ interests and advance the cause of world peace and security.