Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a group of 121 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. It was created to help developing countries during the Cold War, when the world was divided into two big groups led by different powers. After the United Nations, it is the largest group of countries in the world.

The movement started after the Korean War, when some nations wanted to stay independent and not join either side. One side was led by the Soviet Union and included the Warsaw Pact, while the other was led by the United States and included NATO. In 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement was officially formed in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Key leaders who started it were Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito, Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah, and Indonesian president Sukarno.

The main goal of the Non-Aligned Movement was to protect the independence and security of its member countries. It worked against things like colonialism, foreign control, and interference from big powers. Today, the movement includes nearly two-thirds of the countries in the United Nations and represents over half of the world’s population, many of which are developing countries. It continues to focus on building strong connections among developing nations, especially those in the Global South.

History

See also: Cold War

Origins and the Cold War

The term 'Non-Alignment' was first used in 1950 at the United Nations by India and Yugoslavia. Both countries chose not to side with any major powers during the Korean War. The Non-Aligned Movement began in 1956 on the Brijuni islands in Yugoslavia. It was officially created when leaders from Yugoslavia, India, and Egypt signed the Declaration of Brijuni on July 19, 1956. They wanted peace through global cooperation and freedom, rather than control by one nation over another.

The movement wanted to offer a different choice for developing countries during the Cold War, instead of picking a side between the Western and Eastern powers. The idea of "non-alignment" was first used by an Indian diplomat in 1953. It became official at the first meeting of non-aligned leaders in 1961. In 1954, leaders from India and China shared five important ideas for peaceful relationships, like respecting each other's lands and working together fairly. A big meeting in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia, helped grow the movement. Leaders from many Asian and African countries agreed to stay neutral in the Cold War. In 1961, the first official meeting of non-aligned countries happened in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. In 1970, the group added goals like solving problems peacefully and not joining big military groups or allowing foreign military bases.

In 1975, some members supported a United Nations statement comparing a certain country's policies to unfair treatment. This caused disagreements. Some members, like India and Pakistan, also had serious conflicts with each other.

Cuba's role

In the 1970s, Cuba tried to become a leader in the Non-Aligned Movement. Cuba helped other countries with advice and programs. In 1976, a big meeting praised Cuba for helping a country fight against unfair treatment. Cuba was set to host the next meeting in 1979. But when the Soviet Union went into Afghanistan's war in 1979, many members disagreed. Cuba supported the Soviet Union and lost its leadership role in the movement.

Post-Cold War

After the Cold War ended, the Non-Aligned Movement changed. Yugoslavia, one of the founding members, broke apart in the early 1990s, which affected the group. Some of Yugoslavia's parts still have a connection but most aren't active members. India, another founding member, focused less on the movement.

New members joined over time, like Azerbaijan and Fiji in 2011. The movement tried to find new purposes, focusing on helping poorer countries work together and stand up for their interests. It talked about problems like unfair economic rules and poverty.

The 16th meeting happened in Tehran, Iran, in 2012. Leaders from many countries attended, and Iran became the leader of the movement until 2015. Venezuela hosted the next meeting in 2016. Azerbaijan hosted in 2019, and Uganda hosted in January 2024. The next meeting is expected to be in Uzbekistan.

Organizational structure and membership

The Non-Aligned Movement was created so countries could stay neutral and not join any big groups. Because of this, it doesn’t have a very strict organization. Important rules were set in 1996. The biggest meeting is where leaders of these countries decide things, and the leader changes each time to the country hosting the meeting.

To join the Non-Aligned Movement, a country must follow the ten "Bandung principles" from 1955. These include respecting human rights, respecting each country’s land and independence, and solving problems peacefully. They also must treat all nations equally, no matter how big or small.

Policies and ideology

The Non-Aligned Movement includes leaders with many different ideas, such as Suharto, a strong leader against certain political views; Nelson Mandela, a famous activist for equal rights; Mohamed Morsi, a leader with conservative beliefs; Josip Broz Tito, a leader from Yugoslavia with specific political ideas; and Ernesto Samper, a leader from Colombia with open-minded views. Despite their differences, these leaders and their countries share a common goal of working for world peace and safety. In 1983, the movement called itself "history's biggest peace movement." They also believe strongly in reducing weapons around the world.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the movement worked to improve trade between richer and poorer countries. They also started a way for news agencies to share information better. The Non-Aligned Movement supports working together in groups to help everyone. Most of its members are also part of the United Nations. The movement has helped with important issues like ending unfair treatment of people and supporting groups fighting for their rights in places such as Rhodesia and South Africa.

Current activities and positions

The Non-Aligned Movement has spoken out about how powerful countries use groups like the United Nations in ways that don’t follow its rules. It wants changes to give smaller countries more say and make decisions clearer and fairer.

The movement supports people in places like Puerto Rico and Western Sahara to decide their own future. It also works hard for sustainable development, meaning ways to help countries grow without harming the environment or people. It points out problems like unfair trade, heavy debts, and not enough help from other countries.

In recent years, the movement has talked about concerns with some actions by the United States, like wars and efforts to control other countries’ nuclear plans. It believes every country should have the right to peaceful activities.

The movement has special centers to help countries work together, like one in Jakarta, Indonesia, that focuses on sharing knowledge and skills. There is also a youth group that brings together young people from member countries to discuss important issues. The movement values cultural diversity and human rights, wanting to protect different traditions and histories.

The movement has many working groups and committees led by different countries to handle topics like reforming the United Nations, human rights, and peace-building.

Summits

The main meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement is called the Non-Aligned Movement Summit. Leaders from member countries meet every few years at these summits.

Between summits, there are many meetings of ministers. Some focus on special topics, like peace and understanding between different beliefs. There is also a big meeting of foreign ministers every three years. Recent meetings were in Bali, Indonesia, and Algiers, Algeria.

The movement celebrated its 50th anniversary in Belgrade in 2011 and its 60th anniversary there in 2021. An online summit in May 2020 focused on working together to fight the COVID-19 disease.

Chair

Coordinating Bureau

The Coordinating Bureau is based at the United Nations and helps guide the work of the Non-Aligned Movement. It oversees task forces, committees, and working groups. The daily tasks of the movement are handled by these working groups for the Coordinating Bureau.

Members, observers and guests

The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of 121 countries that do not officially support any major global power blocs. It was created to help developing countries during the Cold War era. Today, it remains one of the largest groups of nations after the United Nations.

Current members

Many countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania are members of the Non-Aligned Movement. These nations joined at different times, with some becoming members as early as 1961.

Observers

Several countries and organizations have observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement. These include nations like Argentina, Armenia, and Brazil, as well as groups such as the African Union and the United Nations.