XII MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE MOVEMENT OF NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES NEW DELHI, APRIL 4-8, 1997 INTRODUCTION The Foreign Ministers of the country members of the Non-Aligned Movement held their twelfth Ministerial Conference in New Delhi, India on 7-8 April 1997. Member States and Observers who attended are listed in the Report of the Rapporteur General of the Conference. The guests who attended the opening and closing ceremonies are also listed in that Report. The Conference was addressed by H.E. H.D.Deve Gowda, Prime Minister of India. A Special Session of the Conference on Palestine was held and was addressed by H.E. President Yasser Arafat. The Ministers discussed political and economic developments since the Cartagena Summit, and reached the following conclusions, recommendations and decisions. CHAPTER 1: GLOBAL ISSUES A. REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION SINCE THE CARTAGENA SUMMIT 1. The Ministers reviewed the international situation since the Cartagena Summit and discussed the opportunities, challenges and problems facing the Movement as it approached the 21st century. Chief among them were the tasks of founding a just and equitable world order based on the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. 2. The Ministers believed that, though the peace dividend which had been expected from the end of the cold war had not materialized, the global community had to collectively strive towards a world order based on peace, justice, equity among nations, democracy and the rule of international law and observance of international humanitarian law. To realize this objective, it would be essential to abandon established mindsets. The Ministers were concerned that security structures and conceptions emerging in the developed countries and their implementation may lead to the build-up of tensions which may have a global negative effect and may undermine the security of the developing countries. The Ministers therefore urged their partners in the Movement and countries of the developed world to expeditiously resolve the long-standing disputes, prevent old divisions being redrawn and work towards the effective realization of the principles of collective security enshrined in the UN Charter. 3. The Ministers noted that since the Cartagena Summit, limited progress had been made on disarmament measures. However, though there was now an opportunity of banning and eliminating nuclear weapons, the only weapons of mass destruction still not banned, those who had them still lacked the political will to accept the overwhelming wish of the international community, led by the Movement, to see these weapons dismantled and destroyed. The Ministers believed that the courage which these countries had shown in abandoning old antagonisms and reaching out to former opponents should now be turned to this most pressing challenge of nuclear disarmament. 4. Reviewing regional developments since the Cartagena Summit, the Ministers observed that conflicts, disputes and tensions continued to prevail. In spite of attempts carried out to solve some of these conflicts by peaceful means, they nevertheless remained unresolved. They expressed deep concern over the prevalence of conflicts and tensions in various parts of the world. 5. They noted with concern that entire regions were being bypassed by the development process, disparity and inequity were increasing among nations and that more than 1.3 billion people in today's world lived in absolute poverty and the number in the non-aligned and other developing countries was rising at an alarming rate. The Ministers were therefore particularly concerned that, precisely at a time when attention to development and the enhancement of the quality of life in poorer societies should be the highest priority, international commitment to supporting development had been slackening. 6. The Ministers noted the continuing globalization of economic forces, capital markets, and investment and trade flows. While welcoming the high growth rates recorded by some developing countries, which were emerging as new locomotive forces of world economic growth, they emphasised that equal opportunities were crucial to achieve a shared commitment to the forces integrating the global economy. They stressed that the global economic agenda must reflect the development dimension and be fully responsive to the needs, interests, capacities and potential of developing countries. They urged the Movement to work together to promote economic and social growth, and to ensure that the benefits of the processes of globalization and liberalization reach all member states of the Movement and that their risks are minimized. 7. The Ministers observed that in the international economy of the 199Os, the impact of global economic forces on the developing countries, particularly the least developed among them, was both much heavier and more swift than it has ever been. The developing economies have been adversely affected by the flight of capital, brain drain, continuing fall in commodity prices, diversion of procurement to other sources and a variety of protectionist measures, the worst being those disguised in human rights concerns in industrialized markets. Shrinking resources, the heavy burden of debt and debt servicing, and constraints on transfer of technology have led to stresses, bottlenecks and constraints and continue to be harmful to the economies of the developing countries. The developed world cannot insulate itself from these problems; it is therefore in the interest of all that developed industrial countries should fully address these problems with the developing countries for the elaboration and implementation of a strategy to solve these problems. 8. What the movement has always stood for is collective self-reliance; what it expects from its partners in the developed world in meeting the challenges of modernization is the cooperation of equals. The assumption by some developed countries that they have the unique privilege of prescribing norms or values for developing countries, which the movement rejects, betrays a colonial mindset. 9. The Ministers observed that as nations increasingly tackle issues and problems that are truly of a global nature, it is imperative that the United Nations system, the main forum where they can make their views heard and share their experiences and perspectives, should be strengthened. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Ministers did not accept that, under a demand for a division of labor, the United Nations should abandon its work in the social and economic sectors. At the same time, financial support was being withdrawn from several of the specialized agencies, and the UN allowed to fall into a state of chronic financial crisis. The UN system was therefore left weakened when the world, and in particular the Movement, needed to see it strengthened the most as the only truly collective instrument for the promotion of development, maintenance of international peace and security and ensuring a global transformation of international relations for the attainment of justice and equality for the benefit of non-aligned countries. B. THE ROLE OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT 10. The Ministers reaffirmed the mandate of the Cartagena final document of the Eleventh Conference of the Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned countries and concluded that the Movement should enhance its unity and cohesion and coordinate positions of Member countries towards major international issues, with a view to strengthening their negotiating power vis-à-vis the developed countries. In this regard, they reiterated that it was essential to widen the scope of agreement, expand the area of action, set clearer criteria and procedures, and develop the principles of solidarity among the members of the Movement. They emphasised the importance of promoting the culture of peace within and among nations. They underlined that the Movement's role would largely depend on its inner strength, unity and cohesion. It was therefore incumbent on all member states to work earnestly towards promoting the solidarity and unity of the Movement. This would require sincere efforts to remove areas of disagreement between member states and to resolve disputes among themselves peacefully. 11. The Ministers observed that the Movement with its 113 members is currently the largest group of states in the international system as well as within the UN. They believed that under democratic principles, their needs, priorities and views should more effectively guide the international agenda. The Ministers therefore directed the Movement to promote jointly its collective positions on international peace and security, UN reforms, disarmament, development, human rights, racial discrimination, terrorism, the environment and other political issues in the UN and international arena. 12. The Ministers stressed the need for the full implementation of the conclusions and decisions of the Cartagena Summit and expressed their determination to continue to implement and support the directives and mandates on all the issues contained in the final documents of the Summit. 13. The Ministers recalled, and committed themselves to implement, the Declaration adopted at the commemoration, in September 1996, of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Movement. They welcomed the Report of the Chairman on the activities of the Movement since the Eleventh Summit and expressed the view that those activities contributed appreciably to the strengthening of the vital role of the Movement within the international community and the promotion of unity and solidarity among its members. They reiterated their firm determination to sustain the progress achieved since the Eleventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Movement and commended President Ernesto Samper, Chairman of the Movement, for his continuous efforts and dedication devoted to the cause of Non-Alignment, and his leadership in conducting NAM activities, thus enhancing the unity and cohesion of the Movement and strengthening its negotiating power in the international arena. These activities have strengthened the role of the Movement within the international community and solidarity among its members. The Ministers also welcomed the results of the Meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology held at Cartagena on 15-16 May 1996 and the adoption of the Cartagena Document on Methodology. 14. The Ministers stressed that it is necessary that the NAM countries elected to the Council and who form the NAM Caucus 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. 15. The Ministers reaffirmed that the Ministerial Committee on Methodology should continue to intensify its activities for a thorough and extensive examination of the activities of the Movement. They emphasized that the mandate of the Ministerial Committee is an ongoing one. They decided to revitalize the role of the NAM Working Group established to consider ways and means of enhancing the role of the Movement in the light of recent changes in the international situation. They further expressed their determination to increasingly prepare action-oriented documents as a means to continue enhancing the capacity and role of the Movement in the Negotiations in the UN and international meetings. 16. The Ministers recommended that NAM and the Group of 77 and China continue to cooperate and, where relevant, to coordinate their activities, without diluting their distinct goals and nature. In this regard, they recalled the recent adoption of the San José Declaration and the Plan of Action for South-South Cooperation in Trade, Investment and Finance as an example of that cooperation. 17. The essence of non-alignment is autonomy of choice. The Movement, which gives its members a collective strength to exercise that choice, therefore has a continuing role to play in a world where developing countries face fresh challenges and pressures. The Movement's objective, towards which it should work unitedly, must be a new, democratic world order, freed from want, fear and intolerance, and built on peace, justice, equality, democracy and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, of international law and international humanitarian law. C. STRENGTHENING, RESTRUCTURING, REVITALISATION AND DEMOCRATISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS 18. The Ministers stressed the importance of the strict adherence to the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in establishing a new democratic world order. They recalled that the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations had highlighted the need to reform and restructure the Organization, so that it could respond to the needs and aspirations of its members in the twenty-first century. The Movement must continue to contribute to this process, influencing the debate and the proposed reforms, whose objective should be to strengthen and revitalize the Organization. 19. The Ministers welcomed the emphasis laid by the UN Secretary-General on the importance of the work of the UN in the economic and social fields, particularly his indication that "the promotion of development must remain central to the mission of the Organization and that the work of the United Nations in the economic and social fields must be strengthened". The Ministers underlined that the Secretary-General, in developing his reform proposals, should take full account of the views of the Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement as already expressed in the General Assembly and its relevant Working Groups. 20. The Ministers also noted the efforts of the Secretary-General of the UN towards the reduction of administrative costs and fully agreed that savings therefrom be allocated to developmental activities. 21. The Ministers emphasized that the promotion of development is a main priority of the United Nations, and expressed the need to restructure and revitalize the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields in order to better promote the interests of developing countries. For the Movement, an effective economic and social section of the United Nations, both in the Secretariat functions as well as the intergovernmental bodies, must be a central result of reform discussions under way. In particular there is a need to bring forward the process of reform and revitalization of ECOSOC. It is necessary to organize its work throughout the year, so that it can fully discharge its Charter responsibilities as the central mechanism for coordination on a system-wide basis and for supervision of the subsidiary bodies in the economic, social and related fields, together with reinforcing the roles of the Council in providing overall policy guidance for operational development programmes and funds. In this context, the Council has the principal responsibility to ensure the coordinated and integrated implementation and follow-up of agreements and commitments reached by the major international conferences. 22. The Ministers expressed concern at the weakening of the role and functioning of the General Assembly, the principal organ of the United Nations in which all Member States are represented. They called to assign General Assembly its due role in accordance with the UN Charter. In this context the due accountability of the Security Council to the General Assembly should be encouraged. The Ministers noted the progress of work on the Strengthening of the UN system and in this regard, called on the Open-Ended Working Group on the Strengthening of the UN System to recommend as soon as possible measures to revitalize and strengthen the General Assembly in fulfillment of its role as stated in the UN Charter. The Ministers believed that the UN General Assembly should assert more effectively its role in the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 377 of 3 November 1950 entitled "Uniting for Peace". 23. The Ministers recalled that the imposition of sanctions is an issue of serious concern for Non-Aligned countries. They reaffirmed that the imposition of sanctions in accordance with the Charter should be considered only after all means of pacific settlement of disputes under Chapter VI of the Charter have been exhausted and a thorough consideration undertaken of the short and long-term effects of such sanctions. Sanctions are a blunt instrument, the use of which raises fundamental ethical questions of whether sufferings inflicted on vulnerable groups in the target country are a legitimate means of exerting pressure. The objective of sanctions is not to punish or otherwise exact retribution. 24. The objectives of sanction regimes should be clearly defined. Sanctions should be lifted as soon as the objectives are achieved. They should be imposed for a specified time-frame and based on tenable, legal grounds. The conditions demanded of the country or party on which sanctions are imposed should be clearly defined and subject to periodic review. Attempts to impose or to prolong the application of sanctions to achieve political ends should be rejected. 25. All sanction regimes must contain specific and appropriate measures to ensure that humanitarian supplies reach the affected, innocent populations. Efforts must also be made to ensure that the development capacity of the target country is not adversely affected by sanction regimes. 26. The functioning of the Sanctions Committee requires to be further improved. In this context, the Ministers welcomed the proposals that had been made by NAM in the Sub-group on Sanctions of the Open-Ended Working Group of the General Assembly on an Agenda for Peace. They called upon the Coordinating Bureau to pursue efforts to have those proposals adopted. 27. The Ministers comprehensively reviewed discussions on the reform and restructuring of the Security Council, in the light of the position papers adopted by the Movement on 13 February 1995 and 20 May 1996, the decisions of the Cartagena Summit and the NAM negotiating paper on Cluster II issues dated 11 March 1997. 28. The Ministers recalled that discussions in the Open-Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council have shown that while a convergence of views has emerged on a number of issues, important differences still exist on many others. They noted that the Open-Ended Working Group has resumed its discussions and underlined the necessity of the Movement maintaining its unity and solidarity on this critical issue. They reaffirmed that the Movement should, in the ensuing negotiations, continue to pursue directives given by the Cartagena Summit and contained in the Movement's position papers. The Movement would be guided by the following considerations in approaching the issue of Security Council reform in discussions at the UN: o Both reform and expansion of the Security Council should be considered as integral parts of a common package, taking into account the principle of sovereign equality of states and equitable geographical distribution, as well as the need for transparency, accountability and democratization in the working methods and procedures of the Security Council, including its decision-making process; o The Non-Aligned countries are grossly under-represented in the Council. This under-representation should, therefore, be corrected by enlargement of the Security Council which should enhance the credibility of the Council, to reflect the universal character of the world body, and to correct existing imbalances in the composition of the Security Council in a comprehensive manner; o The extent, nature and modalities of the expansion of the Security Council should be determined on the basis of the principles of equitable geographical distribution and sovereign equality of states. Attempts to exclude NAM from any enlargement in the membership of the Council would be unacceptable to the Movement; o Increase the membership of the Security Council by not less than 11 based on the principles of equitable geographical distribution and sovereign equality of States; o the negotiation process should be truly democratic and transparent, and negotiations on all aspects should be held, in all cases, in an open ended setting. 29. The Ministers reaffirmed the NAM proposal that if there is no agreement on other categories of membership, expansion should take place only, for the time being, in the non-permanent category. 30. The Ministers reaffirmed the NAM proposal that the veto should be curtailed with a view to its elimination and that the Charter should be amended so that, as a first step, the veto power should only apply to actions taken under Chapter VII of the Charter. 31. The Ministers underlined the need for a coherent and coordinated approach by the Movement in the ensuing discussions in the Open-Ended Working Group. The Ministers, mindful of the importance of reaching general agreement, as reflected, inter alia, in UNGA resolution 48/26, called for fuller discussions of various proposals submitted to the Working Group. 32. The Ministers stressed the importance of enhancing the transparency of the Security Council through the improvement of its working methods and its decision-making process. They called on the Open-Ended Working Group to agree on and the General Assembly to recommend specific and substantive measures to be implemented by the Security Council based on the measures proposed in the NAM negotiating paper on Cluster II issues. They also urged the Security Council to institutionalise such measures, and stressed that a commitment to institutionalise them should be an element of a package agreement on the reform of the Security Council. 33. The Ministers recalled UNGA Resolution 51/193 and in this regard called for a significant improvement in the annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly. They also urged the Security Council to provide, when necessary, special reports to the General Assembly in accordance with Articles 15 and 24 of the UN Charter. 34. The Ministers underscored the need to operationalise Article 50 of the Charter, particularly by establishing a mechanism, including a Fund, to provide relief to third countries affected by UN sanctions. 35. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the active participation in and contribution to the work of the Open-Ended Working Groups on UN reforms by the Non-Aligned Countries and encouraged them to continue to defend NAM positions. D. UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPlNG OPERATIONS 36. While reaffirming the guiding principles for peace-keeping operations adopted by the XI Ministerial Conference in Cairo in 1994, the Ministers emphasised: o the UN has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and there should be no derogation from this primary responsibility. Regional arrangements and agencies can make important contributions in this regard in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, including where appropriate to peace-keeping; the need for strengthening the role of the General Assembly in the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the Charter; o the expenses of peace-keeping operations are expenses of the United Nations to be borne by Member States in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, as well as the existing special scale of assessments established by General Assembly resolution 3101 (XXVIII) which takes into account the special responsibilities of the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as other economic considerations. These contributions must therefore be paid in full and on time; o funding of UN peace-keeping operations through voluntary contributions should not influence UN Security Council decisions to establish peace-keeping operations or affect their mandate; o the need to differentiate between peace-keeping operations and humanitarian assistance; the need for regular and institutionalised consultations between troop contributing countries and the Security Council; o the need for a uniform UN scale for death and disability compensation for UN peace-keeping personnel; o the urgent need to address delays in reimbursing the cost of troop contributions and contingent-owned equipment to the troop contributing countries, in particular to non-aligned and other developing countries; o that efforts must be continued to improve the ability of the United Nations to deploy peace-keeping operations expeditiously. 37. The Ministers, while fully appreciating the important role being played by the Special Committee on Peace-Keeping operations and welcoming its enlargement, stressed that it is the only forum in the United Nations with the mandate to comprehensively review the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects. 38. The Ministers reiterated their concern over the staffing structure of the Department of Peace-Keeping Operations of the UN Secretariat. They highlighted the fact that the increased reliance on loaned and seconded personnel from developed countries had created an imbalance which was inconsistent with Articles 100 and 101 of the UN Charter and created a situation whereby NAM member states were insufficiently represented. In this regard, the Foreign Ministers called for thorough review of this practice and urged the UN Secretary-General and the competent bodies of the UN General Assembly to urgently correct this imbalance by providing for UN financing of posts presently occupied by officers on loan. Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General should make every effort to ensure that the recruitment and assignments of loaned personnel are consistent with the requirements of Articles 100 and 101 of the UN Charter, particularly the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. 39. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the work of the NAM Working Group on Peace-Keeping Operations. E. THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS 40. Recalling that the grave financial situation forced upon the UN had caused considerable concern to their Heads of State and Government at Cartagena, the Ministers deplored attempts to determine the agenda of the UN and its future orientation through a budgetary exercise and the non-payment in full, on time and without conditions, of assessed contributions, both to the UN regular budget and to peace-keeping budgets. While noting the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness, they emphasised that: o Member States must faithfully honour their legal financial obligations through the payment of their assessed contributions on time, in fall and without conditions; o Member States in arrears must take concrete action in paying up their dues and this should not be linked in any way to paying outstanding assessed contributions; o the UN must be given the resources to finance all mandated programmes and activities, especially those which were of crucial concern to developing countries, such as the eradication of poverty; o the principle of the capacity to pay must remain the fundamental criterion for the apportionment of mandatory contributions to the United Nations. Unilateral measures, or attempts to drastically change the methodology of the scales of assessments, would not be accepted. Any review of the scale of methodology, if undertaken, should be based on consultation and consensus; o the scales of financing peace-keeping operations must reflect the special responsibilities of the permanent members of the Security Council and the economic situation faced by other countries or groups of countries, particularly the developing and Least Developed Countries. The principles contained in the special scale of assessments established by resolution 3101 (XXVIII) for the apportionment of the expenses of peace-keeping operations should be adopted as the permanent basis for any further review. F. AGENDA FOR PEACE 41. The Ministers observed that efforts should continue to be made, taking into account the interests of all members of the Movement, to evolve a common position on the elements of "An Agenda for Peace" and its Supplement. 42. They recognised that the principles of the UN Charter and international law were applicable to the elements contained in an Agenda for Peace and its Supplement. 43. They further recognised that without prejudice to the competence of the other principal organs of the UN and to their respective roles in Post-Conflict Peace-Building (PCPB) activities, the General Assembly has the key role in the formulation of PCPB activities. G. REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS 44. While reaffirming that the primary responsibility for international peace and security rests with the United Nations, the Ministers stressed that the role of regional arrangements or agencies, in that regard, should not in any way substitute the role of the United Nations, or circumvent the full application of the guiding principles of the United Nations and international law. 45. They reaffirmed that a process of consultations, cooperation and coordination between the UN and regional arrangements or agencies, based on Chapter VIII of the Charter, as well as on their mandates, scope and composition, is useful and can contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. 46. They stated that regional arrangements on economic cooperation can contribute to development and to the growth of the world economy through, inter alia, the promotion of trade, investments and technology transfer. They stressed the need for a firm commitment to enhance economic cooperation among developing countries within the framework of an open, multilateral, equitable and non-discriminatory trading system. 47. They highlighted the important role that regional arrangements and agencies, composed of Non-Aligned and other developing countries, can play in the promotion of regional peace and security, economic cooperation and economic and social development. H. THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION AND DECOLONISATION 48. The Ministers reiterated the continued validity of the fundamental right of all peoples to self-determination the exercise of which, in the case of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation, is essential to ensure the eradication of all these situations and to guarantee universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They strongly condemned ongoing brutal suppression of the legitimate aspirations for self-determination of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation in various regions of the world. 49. They observed with satisfaction the emergence into sovereign statehood and independence of peoples once under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation. They reaffirmed the inalienable right of peoples of non-self-governing territories to self-determination and independence in accordance with UNGA resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 regardless of the territory's size, geographical location, population and limited natural resources. They renewed their commitment to hasten the complete elimination of colonialism and supported the effective implementation of the Plan of Action of the Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. In this respect, the principle of self-determination with respect to the remaining territories within the framework of the Programme of Action should be implemented in accordance with the wishes of the people consistent with UNGA resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations. 50. In the context of the implementation of UNGA resolution 1514 (XV), the Ministers reiterated that any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 51. They reaffirmed the right of the people of Puerto Rico to their self-determination and independence on the basis of resolution 1514 (XV) of the UN General Assembly and requested the Committee of 24 of the UN to consider the issue during its 1997 session. 52. The Ministers reiterated their support to the Committee of 24 and expressed their desire that the said body would continue to actively pursue its work in order to determine the interests of the peoples of non-self-governing territories regarding their future political status, for which a number of actions, such as visiting missions and regional seminaries, are totally adequate. For this purpose, they called upon the full support of the Administering Powers. I. MERCENARIES 53. Deeply concerned at the criminal activities of international mercenaries, the Ministers condemned the practices of recruiting, financing, training, transit, use or supporting mercenaries as a violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. These endangered the national security of States, especially small States, as well as the safety and stability of multi-ethnic States and impeded the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination. They therefore urged adherence to the provisions of resolution 49/150 of UNGA, especially its call on States to consider the possibility of signing and ratifying the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of mercenaries. J. DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY 54. The Ministers noted that with the end of the cold war, there is no justification for nuclear arsenals, or concepts of international security based on promoting military alliances and policies of nuclear deterrence. While the end of the cold war had created unprecedented opportunities to promote this objective, regrettably there had been assertions which sought to justify continued reliance on nuclear doctrines, in certain cases against non-nuclear-weapon states. The Ministers recalled that the Cartagena Summit had called for the adoption of an Action Plan for the elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. They called upon the international community to join them in negotiating and implementing universal, non-discriminatory disarmament measures and mutually agreed confidence-building measures. 55. The Ministers noted and welcomed the various international initiatives which stress that the opportunity now exists for the international community to pursue nuclear disarmament as a matter of the highest priority. They also noted that our present situation whereby nuclear-weapon states insist that nuclear weapons provide unique security benefits, and yet monopolize the right to own them, is highly discriminatory, unstable and cannot be sustained. 56. The declarations that nuclear weapons continue to offer security to the nuclear weapon states could contribute to the escalation of the nuclear threat and were contrary to their undertakings to fulfil nuclear disarmament obligations. Nuclear weapons continued to exist in massive numbers and in a state of operational readiness. It was imperative that security in the Post-Cold War era will be promoted through drastic reductions in nuclear weapons and their elimination. They called for a series of agreed measures forming part of a programme for nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear-weapon-free world. 57. The Ministers welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice that "there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control". They noted and welcomed the growing body of authoritative international opinion which stressed that nuclear disarmament should be pursued by the international community as a matter of the highest priority. They recalled that a number of NAM countries had taken collective initiatives at the 50th and 51st UNGA sessions to underscore the need for urgent action in the field of nuclear disarmament, as mandated at the Cartagena Summit. The Ministers welcomed the useful work that had been done by a number of NAM countries, members of the Conference on Disarmament, in developing an Action Plan for nuclear disarmament within a time-bound framework. 58. The Ministers: o called on the Conference on Disarmament to establish, on priority, an ad hoc committee to start negotiations on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified framework of time, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention. A universal and legally binding multilateral agreement should be concluded committing all States to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons; o urged Nuclear Weapon States to agree to commence the negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding international instrument to provide unconditional assurances to all non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons; o urged Nuclear Weapon States to agree to commence negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances, pending the complete elimination of nuclear weapons; o supported the convening of the Fourth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and o expressed satisfaction at the work of the Working Group on Disarmament established by the NAM Coordinating Bureau in New York. 59. The Ministers noted with concern that, though the Chemical Weapons Convention will enter into force on 29 April, 1997, the two declared possessors of chemical weapons have still not ratified it, which jeopardizes both the necessary universal and disarmament character of the Convention as originally conceived, which has been the guiding principle during the protracted negotiations through which the Convention was achieved. The Ministers emphasised that the First Conference of States Parties should adopt the appropriate measures towards ensuring that the Convention is operationalised in a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory manner that safeguards the principle of universality and the disarmament character integral to the Convention. The Ministers further emphasised that the outstanding issues before the Preparatory Commission needed to be satisfactorily resolved in order to ensure effective implementation of the Convention. In this context, they called on the developed countries to promote international cooperation through the transfer of technology, material and equipment for peaceful purposes in the chemical field and the removal of all existing multilateral as well as national discriminatory restrictions that are contrary to the letter and spirit of the Convention. 60. In the context of ongoing deliberations to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the Ministers emphasised that, given the importance of biotechnology for economic development, any verification regime for the Biological Weapons Convention should contain specific provisions to safeguard the security and economic interests of the developing countries, parties to the BWC. The strengthening of the BWC should provide for ensured access for peaceful purposes to the relevant material, equipment and technologies for their economic growth. While asserting that the Biological Weapons Convention inherently precludes the use of biological weapons, the Ministers emphasized their support for the explicit prohibition of the use of these weapons in the Convention. In this connection the Ministers noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran has formally presented a proposal to amend Article I of the title of the Convention to include the prohibition of use of biological weapons and urged an early reply from the state signatories to the inquiries by the depositories on this proposal. 61. The Ministers reaffirmed that global and regional approaches to disarmament are complementary and could be pursued simultaneously. They urged States in various regions of the world to negotiate agreements to promote greater balance in conventional armaments and restraint in the production and acquisition of conventional arms and, where necessary, for their progressive and balanced reduction, with a view to enhancing international and regional peace and security. They stressed that the peaceful resolution of regional and inter-State disputes is essential for the creation of conditions which would enable States to divert their resources from armaments to economic growth and development. Regional disarmament initiatives, to be practical, needed to take into account the special characteristics of each region and enhance the security of every state of the region concerned. The question of accumulation of conventional weapons beyond the legitimate requirements of states for self-defense should also be addressed, taking into account the special characteristics of each region. 62. The Ministers considered the establishment of Nuclear-Weapons Free Zones (NWFZs) as a positive step towards attaining the objective of global Nuclear Disarmament. They urged States to conclude agreements with a view to creating nuclear-weapon free zones in regions where they do not exist, in accordance with the provisions of the Final Document of SSOD-l. In this context, they welcomed the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones established by the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba. The Ministers considered the question of the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones in other parts of the world and agreed that this should be on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the states of the region concerned and in conformity with the provisions of the Final Document of SSOD-I. The Ministers welcomed the effort of Mongolia to institutionalise its status as a nuclear-weapon-free zone. 63. The Ministers reiterated their support for the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction. To this end, the Ministers reaffirmed the need for the speedy establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus. They called upon all parties concerned to take urgent and practical steps towards the establishment of such a zone and, pending its establishment, they called on Israel, the only country in the region that has not joined the NPT nor declared its intention to do so, to renounce possession of nuclear weapons, to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) without delay, and to place promptly all its nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA safeguards. They expressed great concern over the acquisition of nuclear capability by Israel which poses a serious and continuing threat to the security of neighboring and other States and they condemned Israel for continuing to develop and stockpile nuclear arsenals. Stability can not be achieved in a region where massive imbalances in military capabilities are maintained particularly through the possession of nuclear weapons which allow one party to threaten its neighbors and the region. They further welcomed the initiative by H.E. Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. They stressed that necessary steps should be taken in different international fora for the establishment of this zone. They also called for the total and complete prohibition of the transfer of all nuclear-related equipment, information, material and facilities, resources or devices and the extension of assistance in the nuclear-related scientific or technological fields to Israel. 64. The Ministers welcomed the signing of "The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty" (Treaty of Pelindaba) in Cairo on 11 April, 1996 and affirmed that this treaty will further consolidate global efforts towards non-proliferation and contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security. The Ministers further affirmed that the establishment of NWFZs, especially in the Middle East, would enhance the security of Africa. 65. Consistent with the decisions adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference, the Ministers of States Parties to the NPT called upon all states, particularly the nuclear weapon states, to fulfil their commitments, particularly those related to Article VI of the Treaty. They also emphasised the need to ensure and facilitate the exercise of the inalienable right of all parties to the NPT to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination. Undertakings to facilitate participation in the fullest possible exchange of equipment, material and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be fully implemented. In this context, the Ministers of the States Parties to the NPT called upon the Preparatory Commissions up to and including the 2000 Review Conference of the NPT to engage immediately in substantive work for the meaningful implementation of the obligations under the Treaty and the commitments in the 1995 Principles and Objectives document. 66. The Ministers of States signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) took note of the opening of the CTBT for signature in 1996. They agreed that if the implications of the treaty are to be fully realized, the continued commitment of all State signatories, especially the nuclear weapon states, to nuclear disarmament will be essential. 67. The Ministers stated that in order to enhance international security and stability, all States Parties to non-proliferation, arms limitations and disarmament treaties should comply with and implement all provisions of such treaties. They emphasized that questions of non-compliance by States Parties should be resolved in a manner consistent with such treaties and international law. They further emphasized that any deviation from the role envisaged for the Security Council under the UN Charter or in certain circumstances under multilateral treaties on non-proliferation, arms limitation and disarmament would undermine the provisions of these treaties and conventions, including the inherent mechanisms for securing redress of violations of their provisions. Such deviations would also call into question the value of painstaking multilateral negotiations on disarmament and arms control treaties in the Conference on Disarmament. They underlined that circumventing or undermining the provisions of existing treaties will seriously prejudice the role of the Conference. 68. The Ministers expressed particular concern over the illicit transfer and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their accumulation in many countries, which constituted a threat to the population and to national and regional security and were a factor contributing to destabilization of states. They urged states to take steps to deal effectively, through administrative and legislative means, with the increasing problem of illicit transfers of weapons, particularly small arms, which exacerbate tensions leading to strife, conflict and terrorism and impact negatively on the socio-economic development of affected countries. In this regard, they welcomed the adoption of guidelines in 1996 for international arms transfers in the context of General Assembly resolution 46/36H of 6 September 1991 by the UN Disarmament Commission. 69. The Ministers welcomed the various bans, moratoria and other restrictions already declared by States on anti-personnel landmines and the growing consensus against the indiscriminate use and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. They also took note of the efforts to eliminate them as early as possible. In this regard the Ministers welcomed the decision taken by the Central American countries to constitute their region as an anti-personnel landmines free zone. The Ministers underlined that any negotiations to ban landmines should take into account the legitimate national security concerns of States as well as their legitimate rights to use appropriate measures for self-defense. They called for urgent and specific measures to ensure that affected countries had full access to material, equipment, technology and financial resources for mine clearance. Access to non-lethal technologies being developed to perform the legitimate defensive role of landmines would help generate support for their elimination. The Ministers also called for continued humanitarian assistance for victims of landmines. 70. The Ministers expressed concern about the residue of the Second World War, particularly in the form of landmines which cause human and material damage and obstruct development plans in some Non-Aligned countries. They called on the States responsible for laying the mines outside their territories to assume responsibility for the landmines, to cooperate with the affected countries, to provide the necessary information, maps and technical assistance for their clearance, to contribute towards defrayal of the costs of clearance and provide compensation for any ensuing losses. 71. The Ministers noted with concern that undue restrictions on export to developing countries of material, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes persist. The Ministers emphasized that proliferation concerns are best addressed through multilaterally negotiated, universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory agreements. Non-proliferation control arrangements should be transparent and open to participation by all States and should ensure that they do not impose restrictions on access to material, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes required by developing countries for their continued development. K. INDIAN OCEAN AS A ZONE OF PEACE (IOZOP) 72. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation to ensure peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean region. They acknowledged the contribution the IOZOP initiative had made towards that end and underlined the importance of the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean continuing informal consultations on the future of the IOZOP and the Committee's work and requested the Chairman of the Committee to keep the NAM coordinating Bureau in New York informed of developments. L. TERRORISM 73. The Ministers expressed their great concern at the acts of terrorism and subversion which, under various pretexts and disguises, result in the most flagrant violations of human rights and seek to destabilize the prevailing constitutional order and political unity of sovereign States. 74. They welcomed with satisfaction the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism (UNGA Resolution 49/60) and urged that it be implemented. They reiterated their condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, as they have adverse consequences, inter alia on the economy and social development of States. They declared that terrorism also affects the stability of nations and the very basis of societies, especially pluralistic societies. They also called for the urgent conclusion and the effective implementation of a comprehensive international convention for combating terrorism. 75. The Ministers further urged all States to cooperate to enhance international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, wherever by whoever against whomever it occurs, at the national, regional and international levels, and to observe and implement the relevant international and bilateral instruments, taking into account the Final Document of the UN Conference on the Prevention of Crime held in Cairo in 1995. 76. The Ministers affirmed that criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for whatever purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations or factors that may be invoked to justify them. 77. The Ministers reaffirmed that all States are under the obligation pursuant to the purposes and principles and other provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant international instruments, codes of conduct and other rules of international law to refrain from organizing, assisting or participating in terrorist acts in the territories of other States or acquiescing in or encouraging activities within the territories directed towards the commission of such acts, including allowing the use of national territories and territories under their jurisdiction for planning and training for that purpose. The Ministers solemnly reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of any political, diplomatic, moral or material support to terrorism. 78. They reaffirmed the Movement's principled position under international law on the legitimacy of struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for national liberation and self-determination which did not constitute terrorism. 79. The Ministers called once again for the endorsement in principle of the call for the definition of terrorism to differentiate it from the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation, for self-determination and national liberation. 80. They stressed the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of race, religion or nationality of the victims or perpetrators of terrorism. 81. The Ministers also emphasised that the taking of hostages, wherever and by whomever committed, constitutes a serious obstacle to the full enjoyment of all human rights and is, under any circumstances, unjustifiable. They therefore called upon States to take all necessary measures to prevent, combat and punish acts of hostage-taking, including strengthening international cooperation in this field. M. INTERNATIONAL LAW 82. The Ministers emphasized that international law should become the instrument for promoting justice in international relations. 83. The Ministers concurred that peace and harmony among nations and peoples require States to respect and promote the rule of law. For this reason, they committed themselves to conduct their external affairs based upon the obligations of international law. They agreed that only an international society governed by law could assure peace and security for all its members. 84. Further progress is necessary to achieve full respect for international law and the International Court of Justice and, inter alia, for promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes and a system of international criminal justice with respect to crimes against humanity as well as other international offences. 85. The Charter refers to the International Court of Justice as the Organization's principal judicial organ. The Security Council should make greater using of the World Court as a source of advisory opinions, and in controversial instances, use the World Court as a source of interpreting relevant international law and consider decisions to review by the World Court. 86. The Ministers took note of the ongoing discussions on the establishment of the International Criminal Court and stressed the need to ensure that the proposed tribunal is impartial and independent of political organs of the United Nations which should not direct or hinder the functions of the Court nor assume a parallel or superior role to such Court. They emphasized that the jurisdiction of the proposed Court should be based on the consent of the states concerned. They reiterated that the principle of complementarity between the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and the national jurisdiction is a central principle and shall, therefore, be reflected and observed with respect to all the provisions of the Court's statute. 87. The Ministers emphasised that the integrity of legal instruments adopted by Member States must be maintained. 88. With the conclusion of the cold war, many new areas of concern have emerged which warrant a renewal of the commitment of the international community to uphold and defend the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law as well as a fuller utilization of the mechanism and means for the pacific settlement of disputes, as envisaged in the United Nations Charter. 89. The Ministers called upon all States to refrain from adopting or implementing extra-territorial or unilateral measures of coercion as means of exerting pressure on non-aligned and developing countries. They noted that measures such as Helms Burton and Kennedy-D'Amato Acts constitute violations of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and called upon the international community to take effective action in order to arrest this trend. 90. The Ministers reiterated their concern for the insistence of certain States to resort to one-sided qualifications of the policies of other States, thus serving interests of their own. They rejected the continued use of unilateral mechanisms of evaluation, qualification and certification, as they are inconsistent with the principles of sovereign equality of States and of non-intervention and undermine multilateral instruments and mechanisms established for this purpose. 91. The Ministers reiterated once again the commitment expressed by the Heads of State or Government at the Eleventh Summit held in Cartagena to jointly oppose all kinds of conditionalities and coercive unilateral measures, rules and policies that are attempted to be imposed or those that are imposed on Member States. 92. The Ministers called upon all States to refrain from adopting or implementing any unilateral measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. 93. The Ministers called on all States to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and to apprehend and return for trial those who committed the crime of genocide in Rwanda to the country where the crime was committed. N. LAW OF THE SEA 94. The Ministers welcomed the establishment of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea and also the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and noted that the International Seabed Authority is now operational. They urged all countries, and especially developed countries, that have not yet done so, to ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention at the earliest. They reaffirmed that the Convention and the Agreement represent significant achievements of the international community through multilateral efforts in creating a legal order for the seas and oceans which will inter-alia, facilitate international communications, promote the peaceful uses of the seas and oceans, the equitable and efficient utilization of their resources, the conservation of their living sources, as well as the protection and preservation of the marine environment. 95. The Ministers called on the international community to give greater support to the land-locked developing countries in improving their transit transport facilities to encourage their efforts in overcoming difficulties hampering transit trade. O. PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES 96. The Ministers emphasized the need for a renewal of commitment by the international community to uphold and defend the principles of the UN Charter and international law as well as the means envisaged in the UN Charter for the pacific settlement of disputes. The role of the Movement in promoting a just international order would largely depend on its inner strength, unity and cohesion. It is therefore incumbent on all Member States to work earnestly towards promoting the solidarity and unity of the Movement. 97. To this end, the Ministers recalled the mandate of the Coordinating Bureau to study further the question of a mechanism for peaceful settlement of disputes between Member States, including proposals made and positions expressed at the Cartagena Summit and to report to the Committee on Methodology. CHAPTER II: ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION A. MIDDLE EAST Palestine 98. Recalling the Cartagena Declaration, the Ministers reaffirmed their full support for the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people to secure their inalienable rights, including the right to return to their homes and property and to self-determination and the establishment of their independent State on their national soil. They reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian and other Arab lands, including Jerusalem, occupied since 1967. The Ministers reaffirmed all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions relating to Jerusalem as an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and demanded their implementation, especially Security Council resolutions No 252 (1968), 465 (1980), 478 (1980), 1073 (1996) and General Assembly resolution 223/51, and considered the Israeli measures aimed at altering the legal, geographic and demographic character of Jerusalem and other actions, contrary to these resolutions, as null and void. 99. The Ministers welcomed the elections, last year, in the West Bank and Gaza and the ensuing constitution of the Palestine Legislative Council in January 1996 and President Arafat's assumption of the office of President the Palestinian National Authority. The Ministers called upon States to support the efforts of the Palestinian people and the P.N.A. to rebuild their economy and national institutions. 100. They considered the persistence of the Government of Israel in its policies of establishing and enlarging existing Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in and around Jerusalem, such as the recent decision to confiscate Palestinian land and establish a Jewish settlement in Jabal Abu Ghnaim, as illegal and constituting a violation of the relevant international resolutions and a breach of contractual binding agreements, commitments and guarantees between the parties concerned. They, furthermore, considered that such violations by Israel constitute a threat to peace and to the ongoing peace process in the Middle East. They recalled that the current peace process is based on the principles and terms of reference of the Madrid Conference of 1991, namely; the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of "land for peace". While they supported the ongoing peace process, they expressed their grave concern that the Government of Israel has failed to abide by its obligations and its commitments to implement the terms of the agreements on the agreed scheduled time, and that Israel has failed to respect and carry out the relevant decisions of the Security Council. 101. The Ministers recalled that the UN Security Council, because of the lack of unanimity of the permanent members, has failed to exercise its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. They recalled that the purpose of the United Nations is, inter alia, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace. They decided to call for an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly to consider the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory including Jerusalem, with a view to making appropriate recommendation to members for collective measures as prescribed in UN General Assembly resolution 377 (V) of 3 November 1950. 102. They requested the UN Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to convene such an Emergency Special Session. They decided to communicate to the UN Secretary-General their concurrence to convene such an Emergency Special Session. 103. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances. In this context they affirmed their obligation to ensure respect by Israel, the occupying Power, for the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967. Lebanon 104. The Ministers expressed full support and respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. They expressed again their condemnation of the continued occupation by Israel of parts of South Lebanon and the Western Bekaa, and reaffirmed their full support for Lebanon's efforts directed towards the liberation of these territories. They expressed their deep concern with regard to the repeated Israeli aggressions against Lebanon and its citizens, as well as the hardships and sufferings inflicted on Lebanese citizens detained in Israel's jails and prison camps. They reaffirmed the need for a speedy and unconditional implementation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) as a prerequisite for peace and security in the region, and for the release of all Lebanese detainees held by Israel. Syrian Golan 105. The Ministers affirmed that all measures and actions taken, or to be taken by Israel, the occupying power, such as its decision of 14 December 1981, that purport to alter the status of the occupied Syrian Golan,, are null and void; constitute a flagrant violation of international law, the fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 and the United Nations resolutions, and have no legal effect. They called upon Israel to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and to fully withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan, to the lines of 4 June 1967, in implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. The Peace Process 106. The Ministers affirmed their support for the Middle East peace process, and the implementation of all agreements signed within its framework between the concerned parties, as well as the commitments and pledges made in accordance with the basis and terms of reference of the Madrid Conference, and United Nations resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the principle of "land for peace", which guarantees Israel's total withdrawal from all occupied Palestine and the Arab territories to the lines of 4 June 1967, including the city of Jerusalem, the Syrian Golan, as well as the south of Lebanon and the Western Bekaa, occupied since 14 March 1978; they called upon Israel to reaffirm its adherence to its commitments given during the negotiations, and resume the talks on the Syrian track from the point they stopped at. They also called for the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people; including their right to return, to self-determination, and to the establishment of their independent State on their national soil, with Jerusalem as its capital. 107. The Ministers considered the Israeli persistence in its settlement policies in Jerusalem and the test of the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, to be inconsistent with all international treaties, conventions and resolutions, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and to constitute a serious threat to the peace process. 108. The Ministers noted with appreciation the commendable efforts exerted by the Syrian and Lebanese Governments, in order to open up possibilities for achieving progress in their full commitments to peace in the Middle East, and to resume the talks from the point they stopped at; and demanded that Israel totally withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories, in implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and in accordance with international law, and the principle of inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force. B. EUROPE Bosnia-Herzegovina 109. The Ministers condemned the acts of aggression, genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its population. They called for the full and comprehensive implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this context, they stressed the importance of cooperation and compliance with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, establishment of the necessary conditions for the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons, and the establishment of the common institutions for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. They further stressed that individual responsibility for the perpetration of crimes against humanity and other serious violations of humanitarian law should be established, and that all indictees must be handed over to the Tribunal. They called on the parties to establish the necessary conditions for the holding of free, fair and democratic elections in September 1997. 110. The Ministers emphasised the need for the Security Council to ensure full implementation of all its resolutions and decisions relating to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Cyprus 111. The Ministers reaffirmed all previous positions and declarations of the Non-Aligned Movement on the question of Cyprus and expressed deep concern over the fact that no progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution. They reiterated their support for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and their solidarity with the people and the Government of Cyprus. They called once again for the withdrawal of all occupation forces and settlers, the return of the refugees to their homes in conditions of safety, and the accounting for those missing. Reiterating their position that the present status quo in Cyprus, created and maintained by the use of force, is unacceptable, they stressed the need for securing compliance with and implementation of all UN resolutions and to that end for the Security Council to take resolute action and measures, including the holding of an international conference and the demilitarization of Cyprus, proposed by the President of Cyprus. Furthermore, expressing their concern at the continuing lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side, as confirmed by the report of the United Nations Secretary-General (document S/1994/629, dated 30 May 1994), they reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts for a just and workable solution, as provided in paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 939 (1994) and decided to request the contact group of Non-Aligned countries to actively follow and support such efforts. Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean 112. The Ministers reviewed the developments that occurred in the Mediterranean region since the Cartagena Summit. They reaffirmed their determination to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations in the promotion of comprehensive and equitable cooperation in the region in resolving the problems existing in the Mediterranean region, in the elimination of the cause of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security. The Ministers stressed that respect for the right to self-determination, elimination of foreign occupation and foreign bases, non-interference in the internal affairs and respect for the sovereignty of States are prerequisites for the establishment of peace and stability in the Mediterranean region. 113. The Ministers welcomed the various initiatives advanced to promote Mediterranean cooperation and security as reflected in the relevant paragraphs of the Final Document of Cartagena in welcoming the decision taken by the IPU Second Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean to set up an Association of Mediterranean States, the Ministers stated the conviction that Parliaments should be actively involved in bringing the peoples of the Mediterranean region closer together. 114. The Ministers took note of the ongoing Euro- Mediterranean process and welcomed the decision by the Barcelona Committee to hold their next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers in Malta on 15th and 16th April 1997. In this regard, the Ministers recognised that prospects for a closer Euro-Mediterranean partnership in all spheres would enhance such a process and would benefit from the participation of all the Mediterranean States in strengthening cooperation in the region. 115. The Ministers commended the efforts of the Non-Aligned Mediterranean countries in meeting the emerging multiple challenges heightened by terrorist activities and organized criminal activity, including drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal migration, which are posing a serious threat to security and stability in the region. In this context, the Ministers committed themselves to strengthen further their cooperation with a view to eliminating these threats and thus enhancing the current political, economic and social situation in the Mediterranean region. C. AFRICA Burundi 116. On the situation in Burundi, the Ministers welcomed the proposed regional summit to be held at Arusha on 16 April 1997 as expressed by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Central Organ for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) held at Lomé on 26 and 27 March 1997. Somalia 117. The Ministers expressed deep concern over the lack of a lasting solution to the political crisis in Somalia. They welcomed the recent developments in particular the conclusion of the Sodere (Ethiopia) Agreement of 3 January 1997 and the establishment of a National Salvation Council as an encouraging step towards peace and national reconciliation in the country. The Ministers emphasised the importance of achieving an all-inclusive political settlement of the conflict in Somalia. They called on all Somali, movements to join hands to find a genuine and lasting solution to the problem that has crippled the country and caused hardship to the people, and to implement all agreements reached so far. The Ministers noted with appreciation the efforts of the Organization of African Unity, in particular of the countries of IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority for Development), in the search for peace and stability in Somalia. They also noted with appreciation the efforts of the League of Arab States towards Somali national reconciliation. 118. They noted the important role of the United Nations. the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the efforts to assist the Somali people in restoring peace, stability and national reconciliation, and called upon these organizations to closely coordinate their efforts with those of the OAU and IGAD. 119. They appealed to the international community to provide humanitarian aid as well as assistance for the reconstruction of Somalia in a well-calibrated manner and with the goal of advancing the peace process and strengthening constituencies for peace. Libya 120. The Ministers confirmed the position of the Movement as contained in paragraph 163 of the final document of the Eleventh Summit in Cartagena. They expressed concern at the non-acceptance by the three Western countries of the appeals of regional and international organizations and their efforts to reach a peaceful settlement based on the principles of international law. 121. They also affirmed that the measures imposed on Libya are no longer justifiable, and urged the Security Council to expeditiously review the air embargo and the other measures imposed on Libya with a view to lifting them. The Ministers further underlined that the escalation of the crisis, the threat to impose additional sanctions and the use of force as a means of conducting relations among States are a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement. 122. Moreover, the Ministers supported the proposals submitted jointly by the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States, as contained in the declaration of the 65th regular session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, held in Tripoli from 24 to 28 February 1997. These proposals are as follows: Option 1 : To hold the trial of the two suspects in a third and neutral country to be determined by the Security Council. Option 2 : To have the two suspects tried by Scottish judges at the international Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, in accordance with Scottish law. Option 3 : To establish a special criminal tribunal at the ICJ Headquarters in The Hague to try the two suspects. Western Sahara 123. The Ministers, noting the latest developments in resolving the question of Western Sahara, reiterated the support of the Movement for the efforts of the United Nations to organize and supervise an impartial, free and fair referendum in accordance with the Settlement Plan and with relevant Security Council resolutions. Sierra Leone 124. The Ministers welcomed the Peace Agreement concluded on 30 November 1996 in Abidjan between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone and expressed the hope that the Peace Agreement would lead to a speedy resolution of the problem. Liberia 125. The Ministers welcomed the recent positive developments in the peace process in Liberia on the basis of the Abuja Agreement and its revised schedule of implementation. They noted with satisfaction the substantial progress in the disarmament of combatants, the revitalization of civil society and the preparations being made, in conjunction with ECOWAS and the United Nations, for the holding of democratic presidential and legislative elections in Liberia on 30 May 1997. They paid tribute to the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to the ECOWAS Chairman and to the men and women of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), for their untiring efforts and many sacrifices in the search for lasting peace and national reconciliation in Liberia. They also expressed appreciation to the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the donor community, international agencies and non-governmental organizations for their support, and urged their continued assistance to the peace process in Liberia, including the repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of refugees and the reconstruction of the country. 126. As the crucial phase of elections approaches, the Ministers emphasized the importance of all Liberian parties and leaders abiding by their obligations under the Abuja peace plan to ensure the holding of free and fair elections leading to the establishment of a democratically elected government in the country. They further called on the international community to contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund for Liberia and to respond generously and in timely fashion to the appeal of ECOWAS for the provision of necessary resources to ECOMOG, so as to enable it to discharge its responsibilities under the peace plan, particularly the provision of adequate security for the elections. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Arms Embargo imposed on Liberia by United Nations Security Council resolution 788 of 1992, and called on members of the international community to fully adhere to it. Angola 127. The Ministers reviewed the developments regarding the Angola peace process since the Cartagena Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to the Lusaka protocol as a fundamental basis for the restoration of peace and national reconciliation in Angola. They welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and reiterated the validity of the relevant Security Council resolutions which attribute importance to the full implementation of the Lusaka Protocol by the Government of Angola and UNITA. 128. The Ministers considered it fundamental that the Government of Angola and UNITA take urgent and decisive steps towards the fulfillment of their commitments in order to ensure the continued involvement of the international community in the peace process in Angola. 129. They reiterated their appeal to UNITA to comply with all provisions of the Lusaka Protocol in good faith and without further delay. 130. The Ministers welcomed the recent visit of the UN Secretary-General to Angola and appreciated the efforts of his Special Representative in Angola and of the Troika of observers who have contributed much towards progress in the peace process. 131. The Ministers expressed appreciation for the support of the international community and called for increased humanitarian assistance and support for the national reconstruction of Angola. Mayotte 132. The Ministers reiterated the unquestionable sovereignty of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros over the island of Mayotte, as well as the fulfillment of the commitments acquired prior to the referendum of 22 December 1974 regarding respect for the unity and territorial integrity of the Comoros. They urged the Government of France to accelerate the process of negotiations with a view to ensuring the effective and early return of the island of Mayotte to the Comoros, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 49/18 of 6 December 1994, and other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on this matter. Chagos Archipelago 133. The Ministers reiterated the support of the Non-Aligned Movement for the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, and called on the former colonial power to pursue the dialogue with the Government of Mauritius for the early return of the Archipelago. In this resect, they noted with satisfaction the initiation of certain confidence-building measures by the two parties. The Situation in the Great Lakes Region 134. The Ministers expressed their deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Eastern Zaire. They noted that the situation had grave humanitarian consequences for the refugees and other victims of the conflict in the region, and accordingly called for an end to the hostilities to facilitate humanitarian assistance and the rehabilitation of refugees and displaced persons. The Ministers advised the parties to the conflict that political dialogue was the sole means of resolving their conflict. The Ministers expressed their support for the five-point peace plan submitted by the joint UN/OAU Special Representative to the Great Lakes region. 135. The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation for the initiative by President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya in convening the Nairobi I, II and III Summits of Heads of State on the situation in the Great Lakes region. 136. The Ministers also noted with satisfaction the efforts made, especially by countries of the region, to find a speedy solution to the conflict in Eastern Zaire, as well as the results of the recent Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Central Organ of the OAU Mechanism for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa held in Lomé (Togo) on 26 and 27 March 1997, at which the State of Zaire and representatives of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (ADFL) accepted the principles of direct negotiation and cease-fire. Lastly, the Ministers welcomed the efforts made by the South African Government to facilitate negotiations between the ADFL and the State of Zaire, negotiations which began in South Africa on 4 April 1997. D. ASIA The Situation between Iraq and Kuwait 137. The Ministers reviewed the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, and emphasised that all Member States of the Movement are committed to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of both Kuwait and Iraq They emphasised that the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions constitutes the means of establishing peace, security and stability in the region. In this respect, they noted the need to resolve expeditiously the problems of all prisoners/detainees and missing persons of Kuwait, and of third country nationals, by means of serious and sincere cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to reach a solution of this issue. They reviewed the issue of human suffering in Iraq, and positively noted recent developments that allow the import of essential civilian necessities by Iraq. Turkey-Iraq 138. The Ministers deplored the repeated actions of the Turkish armed forces violating the territorial integrity of Iraq under the pretext of fighting guerrilla elements hiding inside Iraqi territory. These actions of the Turkish armed forces constitute stark illegal violations of the international boundaries mutually recognised between the two countries. The Minister's also rejected the so-called "hot-pursuit" measures adopted by Turkey to justify such actions, which are abhorrent to international law and to the norms of practice amongst States. Korean Peninsula 139. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the Korean people to reunite their homeland based on the principles set forth in the North-South Joint Statement of 4 July 1972, as well as in the Agreement concluded in February 1992. They noted the importance of guaranteeing durable peace and security in the Korean peninsula for the sake of the common prosperity of the Korean people, as well as the peace and security of North-East Asia and the rest of the world. They stressed that the reunification of Korea should be realized by peaceful means. They expressed the hope that the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula, given its political and military nature, should be resolved by peaceful means, through dialogue and negotiations among all the parties concerned and through full implementation of the Geneva Agreed Framework and the Kuala Lumpur statement between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States of America and other agreed relevant documents, taking into account the need for continued cooperation with the IAEA. Afghanistan 140. The Ministers called upon all states to respect the unity, independence territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Islamic State of Afghanistan as well as the right of the Afghan people to determine their own destiny. 141. They expressed their concern over the continuation of hostilities in the Islamic State of Afghanistan and called upon all states to strictly refrain from any outside interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan including the involvement of foreign military personnel and the supply of arms to various parties. 142. They further added that there should be no military solution and called upon all Afghan parties to cooperate with UN efforts to facilitate national reconciliation and reconstruction of Afghanistan, specifically to mediate an end to the conflict and to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive settlement to be agreed upon by the Afghan parties which would include inter alia immediate and durable cease fire, the demilitarization of Kabul and the establishment of a fully representative and broad based transitional government of national unity. 143. They expressed the hope that the Afghan parties would move towards national reconciliation in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1076, UN General Assembly resolutions 51/195 and 51/108 and welcomed the considerable efforts made by the UN Secretary-General and the Head of United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA). 144. The Ministers expressed concern about actions undermining the security of State frontiers, including the growing illicit traffic in arms and narcotics by criminal elements and groups from certain areas of Afghanistan and about the use of Afghan territory for the training and harboring of terrorists, which create a threat to peace and stability in the entire region, including Afghanistan. South-East Asia 145. The Ministers recognized the role of ASEAN in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in enhancing cooperation in the wider Asia-Pacific region, and that of ARF in promoting dialogue and mutual confidence amongst its partners. They welcomed the progress of ASEAN's continuing efforts to realize the objective of Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in South-East Asia (ZOPFAN) and the signing of the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) by all ten South-East Asian countries. They regarded the establishment of SEANWPZ as an important contribution to peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. For the effectiveness of the Treaty, the Ministers encouraged all nuclear-weapon States to extend their support and cooperation by acceding to the Protocol of the Treaty. 146. The Ministers emphasized the need to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional disputes concerning the South China Sea by peaceful means without resort to force and/or threat to use force, and urged all parties to exercise restraint with a view to creating a positive climate for the eventual resolution of all contentious issues. They expressed concern over recent developments that may lead to a deterioration of peace and stability in the region. In this context, the Ministers supported the principles contained in the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea; and stressed the need for the full implementation of such principles by all concerned. They expressed the hope that all concerned will refrain from further actions that may undermine peace, stability, trust and confidence in the region, including possibly undermining freedom of navigation and aviation in affected areas. They likewise urged the claimants to address the issue in various bilateral and multilateral fora, and in this regard reiterated the significance of promoting all types of confidence-building measures among all patties. To this end, they welcomed the Indonesian initiative in sponsoring the workshop on managing the potential conflict in the South China Sea and other measures launched by the concerned parties in the region to enhance cooperation and to ensure the peaceful settlement of all outstanding questions. E. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Association of Caribbean States 147. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the efforts to deepen the process of cooperation and development among States in the region through the Association of Caribbean States. Haiti 148. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the significant progress made in the re-establishment of democracy in Haiti, and urged the international community to continue to offer Haiti material and other support (including technical and financial assistance) to enable it to deepen the process of democracy and promote its sustained economic and social development. They also agreed that the extension of the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) should be considered in the context of developments in Haiti and in accordance with the wishes of the Government of Haiti. Cuba 149. The Ministers called upon the Government of the United States of America to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial measures and actions against Cuba which, in addition to being unilateral and contrary to the United Nations Charter and international law, and to the principle of good neighborliness, cause huge material losses and economic damage. They called upon the United States of America to settle its differences with Cuba through negotiations on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and requested strict compliance with resolutions 47/19, 48/16, 49/9, 50/10 and 51/17 of the General Assembly of the United Nations. They expressed deep concern about new legislation enacted by the Congress of the United States that would intensify the embargo against Cuba and widen its extraterritorial nature. They also urged the Government of the United States to return the territory now occupied by the Guantanamo Naval base to Cuban sovereignty and to put an end to aggressive radio and TV transmissions against Cuba. Guatemala 150. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the signing of the agreement on a firm and lasting peace, on 29 December 1996, between the Government of Guatemala and the UNIDAD Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), which put a definite end to the Guatemalan internal confrontation. This accord generates a situation of peace which leads to political stability and economic development in the region. 151. The Ministers appealed to the international community to strengthen its support and financial assistance towards the implementation of the commitments contained in the peace agreement, which will contribute to the consolidation of peace in Guatemala. 152. The Ministers also expressed their satisfaction at the important contribution made by the United Nations to the peace process in Guatemala. Panama 153. The Ministers welcomed the plans of the Government of Panama to convene a Universal Congress on the Panama Canal in Panama City in September l997 to be attended by governments, international organizations, maritime users and international maritime transport companies, in order to consider jointly the role that that the Panama Canal should play in the twenty-first century. Guyana-Venezuela Controversy 154. The Ministers noted the firm commitment of Guyana and Venezuela to the peaceful resolutions of the controversy which exists between them. To this end, they fully supported the parties in their decision to continue to avail themselves of the good offices of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Representative with a view to reaching a definitive settlement as called for by the Geneva Agreement of 1966. Central American Integration System (SICA) 155. The Ministers acknowledged the significant progress of the process of integration and regional cooperation through the Central American Integration System (SICA). CHAPTER III: ECONOMIC ISSUES A. THE MOVEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ISSUES 156. The Ministers reviewed the evolving international economic situation, particularly since the Cartagena Summit in 1995. They observed that: o the high growth of some developing countries was contributing significantly to the locomotive forces of world economic growth and stressed that the process of global integration of developing countries was thus paying dividends to the industrialized countries as well. The growth of developing countries as a whole had continued to outpace that of developed countries in the last two years and this trend was likely to continue; o however, the world economy has demonstrated moderate growth rates that have fallen far short of expectations while the developing countries continued to assume the high costs derived from economic reform policies, the lack of coordinated policies in the developed countries to increase demand, stabilize markets and liberalize trade so as to provide a favorable international economic environment for the developing countries has been disappointing. Even the most strenuous efforts by many developing countries to capitalize on opportunities flounder in the face of structural global economic constraints, which include persistent debt burdens, declining ODA flows, currency fluctuations, uneven investment flows and overly cautious deflationary policies of developed countries; o signs of growth notwithstanding, large number of developing countries continue to face serious economic difficulties as the process of globalization has put severe strain on their development prospects. Poverty has continued to increase causing immense human suffering in these countries; o global economic growth was driven by rapidly growing international trade and investment flows compared to world output, underlining that prospects of spreading growth across countries and regions largely depended upon greater participation of developing countries in these flows; o the extent and spread of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into developing countries, though demonstrating an increase, remained uneven. Some developing countries recorded substantial increases in their share of FDI outflows and greater integration in the global industrial economy; o some developing countries achieved substantial and positive changes in their production and infrastructure capacities, international competitiveness and investment attractiveness, thereby creating new complementarities and strengths to promote South-South cooperation; o increased trade, investment and technology flows between developed and some developing countries were a positive sum equation for growth, development, employment creation and enhanced prosperity for all. Nonetheless, this process still eludes a number of developing countries, particularly within the LDCs and African countries. In spite of signs of economic progress in some African countries, a large number of countries in the region, continue to face serious economic and social difficulties, The debt burden, the decreasing flow of financial resources and the low commodity prices remain the principal obstacles of economic development in some of these countries. 157. The Ministers stressed that current trends of globalization and liberalization have had a variable impact on developing economies. While some signs of progress in some countries have been noticed, a large number of NAM Member States continue to suffer from economic stagnation and marginalisation. The Ministers noted that the gap between rich and poor countries continued to widen. The uneven impact is compounded by new challenges relating to issues of access to markets, to capital and to new technologies. They underlined that the development dimension and the needs, priorities, capacities and potential of developing countries should be at the center of any global vision for the coming decades. This will ensure that processes of globalization and liberalization as well as the prosperity, stability and security generated by them, materialize and are sustained. At the same time, it will ensure that the developing countries would avoid the risks arising from the process of globalization, including the risk of marginalisation. 158. The Ministers reiterated that the developing countries have not only impacted on world economic growth and input demand in a significant way, but constitute a dynamic and integral part of the international economic order. The Ministers, however, regretted the fact that the voice of developing countries in decision making still did not realistically reflect their emergence as important actors in the world economy. They urged developed countries to give this cumulative contribution and role, meaningful and commensurate recognition. Therefore, the participation of developing countries in global economic decision making, including in the economic, trade and financial institutions should be enhanced. 159. The Ministers urged the developed countries to ensure that economic agreements and mechanisms fully take into account the concerns of all parties specially developing countries and incorporate a balance of interest and benefit. In particular, the special importance of supporting development policies and objectives of sustained economic growth of developing countries should be recognised. They called on the developed countries to ensure the fulfillment of their obligation to meet the UN target of 0.7% of their GNP for overall Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the development of developing countries, and also to ensure that within that target 0.15 to 0.20% of GNP is earmarked for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). 160. The Ministers reaffirmed the need to establish an open, rule based, accountable, predictable, just, equitable, comprehensive and non-discriminatory global system of economic relations, specially at a time when developing countries were actively engaged in the constructive process of liberalization and integration into the global economy. They urged the developed countries to undertake necessary structural adjustments and refrain from protectionist tendencies, emerging out of unfounded fears, against competitive imports from developing countries and against FDI outflows to them, in the interest of new growth opportunities. 161. The Ministers called on developed countries to refrain from the use of trade and investment to achieve non-economic and/or domestic objectives, such as those relating to labor standards, intellectual property rights, human rights, and environment. The Movement while subscribing to the values inherent in these issues, stressed that such conditionalities and restrictive measures on trade and investment pose a danger for the multilateral economic system and the trade and investment prospects of developing countries. 162. The Ministers called on the developed countries to assist the efforts of developing countries through the creation of a favorable global economic environment, in particular through domestic actions in their countries for purposes of accelerating FDI flows to developing countries so that they have a positive impact on the development efforts of developing countries and their integration into the multilateral trading system. 163. They also called on the developed countries to substantially reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to imports from developing countries and desist from frequent and unjustified resort to safeguard action, countervailing duties, anti-dumping duties, and restrictive business practices, which deny or negate the inherent comparative advantage of developing countries and the competitive advantage of their enterprises, and which distort and disrupt trade and adversely impact on development of developing countries, and the multilateral trading system as well. 164. The Ministers stressed the importance of promoting global partnership so as to effectively overcome the formidable constraints on development. They also stressed that the dialogue between the developed and the developing countries should be based on the mutuality of interests and benefits, shared responsibilities and genuine interdependence. They welcomed the efforts of the Movement to continuously engage with the Group of 7 as well as with other parties in a meaningful and productive dialogue so as to reach better understanding and to respond more positively to the development aspirations of the developing countries, taking into account the concerns and interests of the Member States, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and African countries. The Foreign Ministers appreciated the efforts of H.E. President Ernesto Samper of Colombia, Chairman of the Non Aligned Movement, to institutionalise the mechanism for consultation with the Chairman of the Group of 7 in order to promote dialogue and foster greater understanding of the aspirations, views and positions of the developing countries on important issues. They agreed that the Coordinating Bureau should recommend a format, the frequency and the agenda of meetings with the Group of 7 and other leaders of the world. They also requested the Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of the NAM in cooperation with the Chairman of the Group of 77, to initiate preparations for such meetings in particular in the context of the forthcoming 6-7 Summit to be held this year in Denver, US. 165. The Ministers emphasised the considerable importance of Foreign Direct Investment for development of their countries, promotion of transfer of technology including environmentally sound and safe technologies, building up of indigenous capacities and generation of employment. They attached particular importance to FDI inflows in the infrastructure sector and manufacturing sectors. FDI must not only contribute to the acquisition of the required financial resources and the opening of markets to trade, but also to the training of personnel in the recipient country and seek an adequate social impact through the regulations that may be established. To that end, agreements between countries including national treatment, the most favored nation clause and just and equitable contractual relations in the context of FDI should be respected. They noted that NAM countries had taken several steps to create a climate conducive to FDI inflows. They called upon the major industrial countries to take complementary steps so that the actions undertaken by the developing countries could have maximum development impact and prevent their marginalisation in the global economy. 166. The Ministers reiterated the need to enhance the development impact of the UN and other multilateral institutions, including regional organizations. This would require enhancing the availability of resources, democratization of decision making in the multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the role of developing countries in international economic decision making, with a view to satisfying the priorities and needs of developing countries for which necessary means should be adopted as well as a propititious climate should be fostered. 167. The Ministers decided to set up an ad-hoc Panel of Economists from Non-Aligned countries to assess the current international economic situation from the perspective of developing countries and to identify and analyze major issues of concern to them and to assist in developing a positive agenda of the South. The Chairman of the Movement, in association with the host country of the Conference, would consult with member States on the establishment of the panel and on its work programme to enable it to report to the XII Summit which will be held in South Africa in 1998. B. AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT 168. The Ministers reaffirmed that the Agenda for Development must be responsive to the needs of the developing countries and called for its timely adoption by United Nations General Assembly. It should provide an opportunity for placing development at the forefront of the international agenda. The implementation of this Agenda should be reflected in the reduction of existing fundamental imbalances and inequities. This Agenda must lead to a strengthening of the role of the United Nations in development and should intensify the positive evolution of the relationship between the UN, the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and other multilateral institutions connected with development matters and also climate in the increase of developing countries' role in the decision making process of these institutions. 169. The Ministers noted with concern that much of the ongoing discussion in the international fora on the issue of development merely attempts at diverting attention away from the real development issues, such as those relating to economic growth, stimulating private financial flows, building equitable regimes covering all areas of trade, and effecting technology transfers. 170. In the context of ongoing discussions in the Working Group on Agenda for Development, the Ministers stressed the need for adequate resources to implement the Agenda for Development. They, therefore, emphasised that the question of adequate funding for ensuring accelerated and sustained economic growth in developing countries particularly in the LDCs and African countries must be addressed and provided for in all seriousness and urgency. They called upon the developed countries to guarantee new and additional resources for the implementation of the Agenda for Development. C. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMMODITIES 171. The Ministers recalled that in the area of trade, their countries had welcomed the results of the Uruguay Round and the creation of the World Trade Organization in Marrakesh as milestones towards liberalization and reinforcing of multilateralism. The Ministers further noted that in a number of crucial areas the negotiated results of the Uruguay Round fell short of the expectations of the developing countries and that they had yet to realize the expected benefits, welfare increases and better market access. They regretted that the implementation of the Uruguay Round results in areas of export interest to developing countries, particularly to LDCs, has been inadequate and tardy. Trading opportunities of developing countries were sought to be neutralized by the use of protectionist measures, including those taken unilaterally and in the guise of technical standards, environmental, social, or human-rights-related concerns. 172. The Ministers called for: o a universal membership of WTO and support for facilitating an early admission of NAM and other developing countries to this body; o urgent implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements, specially in areas of export interest to developing countries, including the timely and meaningful phasing out of restrictive quotas under the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing; o the full implementation of the provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements that provide for special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular net food importing countries and LDCs and for an examination of measures that need to be taken to expand the scope of these provisions; o need for improvement of the functioning of international commodity markets through efficient, transparent, stable and adequate price formation. They also called for international support to the developing countries efforts to modernize and diversify their commodity activities, in order to increase their external revenues and to improve their competitiveness in the face of persistent instability of prices and the general deterioration in terms of trade; o refraining from introducing into the WTO agenda extraneous issues with no direct relevance to trade and which reprioritise the agenda of WTO. The choice of new issues and the way rules are drawn up in the WTO should fully integrate the development dimension and should not adversely effect the comparative advantage of developing countries and competitive advantage of their firms participating in global trade; o safeguarding special arrangements in export markets for products of strategic importance to developing countries, especially those with small vulnerable economies; o assistance to developing countries to take advantage of the new trading opportunities and addressing difficulties faced by them in major markets and trade in services, such as tariff peaks, preference erosion, tariff escalation and the misuse of anti-dumping measures and countervailing duties; o increased market access for exports of developing countries, specially in respect of sectors and areas of trade in goods and services where they have a comparative advantage; o provision of liberalized and preferential market access by developed countries for developing countries through improved and strengthened GSP and other preferential schemes, and extension of their scope to cover new areas and sectors now in the WTO actions to be taken to maximize the opportunities and to minimize the difficulties of African countries in adjusting to the changes introduced by the Uruguay Round. Decision on measures concerning the possible negative effects of the reform programme shall be effectively applied; o furthering the freer movement of all factors of production, including movement of natural persons; o ensuring that the international trading system fully reflects the development perspective, both in terms of areas selected for rule-making as well as in terms of the balance of rights and obligations and the benefits therefrom; o an ongoing, systematic analysis of the Uruguay Round Agreements to be carried out by UNCTAD. In this regard, they urged UNCTAD to undertake impact analyses of existing agreements and to study the developmental implication of proposed agreements; o developing countries to consult closely while formulating their positions on the issues being addressed by the World Trade Organization. In this regard, they urged developing countries to work together to elaborate a forward looking agenda for future trade negotiations which would incorporate issues of concern to the developing countries, and would thereby enable them to take the initiative in any future round of negotiations. 173. The Ministers condemned persistence by certain States in intensifying unilateral coercive measures and exercise of domestic legislations with extra-territorial effects against developing countries, such actions include blockades, embargoes and freezing of assets with purpose of preventing these countries from exercising their right to fully determine their political, economic and social systems and freely expand their international trade. They confirmed that these measures are contrary to international law, and international free trading system, and called for their immediate cessation. They also upheld resolution 51/22 of UN General Assembly dated 6th December 1996, and called on all States not to recognise the legislations adopted by a State whose effects go beyond its territories through the imposition of sanctions on individuals and companies of third countries. 174. The Ministers noted that regional and sub-regional arrangements on economic cooperation and integration are intensifying. They agreed that these can contribute significantly to development and growth of world economy, inter alia through the promotion and liberalization of trade, investment and technology transfers among NAM and other developing countries, while noting the importance of the multilateral trading system, the Ministers appreciated efforts by developing countries to strengthen intra-regional trade. On the other hand, they cautioned against regional arrangements raising new barriers. 175. The Ministers appreciated the moves towards regional cooperation through a South Asian Free Trade Area, an ASEAN Free Trade Area, and a Latin American Free Trade Area, Action Plan for Arab Free Trade Area, and the activities of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), COMESA, EAEC, ECOWAS, Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (EMCCA), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAD), West African Monetary Union, CARICOM, the Andean Pact, the Latin American Integration Association, the Association of Caribbean States and the Central American Integration System to promote inn-regional trade. They noted with satisfaction the work of the Arab Maghreb Union and the establishment of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) to promote regional cooperation. In this context, they also took note of the positive efforts being made by the members of SAARC under SAPTA. 176. The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the results achieved in UNCTAD IX held at Midrand, South Africa as well as the effective coordination and the positions taken by the Movement at the Session. They emphasized the need to strengthen the development agenda of the United Nations, and stressed UNCTAD's position as the primary organization in the UN system which can comprehensively examine trade and development and related issues in an integrated fashion. They reaffirmed the important consensus building role of UNCTAD which had been recognised in UNCTAD IX. Welcoming the reforms in UNCTAD, they called for ensuring that these reforms do not impair its ability to assist developing countries. In the context of the reform of the UN it is therefore essential to preserve the mandate and the independence of UNCTAD and its role in promoting development. They welcomed the adoption of a detailed programme of work for UNCTAD for 1998-2001 in trade in goods and services, investment, enterprise development, technology and finance. They called on UNCTAD to continue offering support to developing countries, with special attention to the African Countries and LDCs, with a view to facilitating their participation in the world economy, in true partnership for development and on an equal basis, and in this context called upon international community to contribute generously to the UNCTAD Trust Fund for the LDCs. 177. The Ministers emphasised the importance of the analytical work and policy research conducted by UNCTAD to facilitate an integrated consideration of issues related to trade, investment, technology, services and development. They welcomed the decision at the recent Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization in Singapore in December 1996 to draw upon the work in UNCTAD on investment and trade and competition policy in any consideration of the matter. They called on UCTAD to fulfil its mandate of identifying and analyzing implications for development of issues relevant to a possible multilateral framework on investment, taking fully into account the interests of developing countries. 178. The Ministers recognizing the role of UNCTAD as the principal forum of UN General Assembly for the integrated treatment of development and related issues in the areas of trade, finance, technology, investment and sustainable development, were of the opinion that the Tenth Session of UNCTAD, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in the year 2000 would provide a good opportunity to advance global partnership for economic cooperation for the next millennium. They also noted that there was a possibility that the Session would be held at the Summit level. 179. The commodity sector contributed significantly to the national development and determined terms of trade of developing countries. The Ministers expressed their concern on the deterioration of prices and disorganization in certain commodities markets. The Ministers emphasized the importance of diversification, promotion, improvement of marketing prices and development of commodity and called upon the international community to support the efforts of developing countries to improve the processing, marketing, distribution and transportation of commodities. They noted the contribution of the Common Fund for Commodity through its programmes, to the achievement of the above mentioned objectives. Therefore, the Common Fund for Commodity deserved to be strengthened in order to serve for the best interest of developing countries. D. DEVELOPMENT FINANCE, MONETARY AND FINANCIAL ISSUES 180. The Ministers were concerned at the sharp decline in availability of concessional finance for development. Aid from developed countries as a proportion of their GNP has fallen to the lowest recorded level since the UN adopted the target of 0.7% of GNP as ODA in 1970. They regretted that the current discussions on development were increasingly sidelining its external dimensions. They reiterated that development could only occur in a conducive and supportive international economic environment in which the major developed countries shoulder a special responsibility. They called on the developed countries to coordinate a strategy of economic expansion to raise demand, accelerate and stabilize world growth, undertake significant policy adjustments and promote sustained and substantial flow of Official Development Assistance. The Ministers stressed that FDI can only supplement and complement concessional finance, which was a major requirement for economic and social development of developing countries. The Ministers noted that most developing countries were not in a position to attract sufficient Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). They, therefore still depended to a major extent upon ODA to advance their development purposes 181. The Ministers emphasised the necessity for the reformation of the Bretton Woods institutions in order to enable them to render a major contribution towards international financial stabilization and capital flow towards developing countries and assisting to develop financial risk-averse instruments in this respect. Requirements of developing countries for concessional funding from all sources have increased and not decreased and need to be adequately met, especially for investment in infrastructure and other priority areas, strengthening the creditworthiness of developing countries, support the implementation of economic reforms and eradication of poverty, allow the appropriate management of their debt and increase financial resources so as to achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development. 182. They stressed the urgent need to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the Eleventh General Review of SDR Quotas so as to meet the liquidity needs of developing countries and give impetus to global growth. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the 11th Replenishment of IDA and stressed the need to ensure that the level of IDA commitments in the next three years is maintained by the developed countries in nominal terms at least at the same level, as was done during the 10th replenishment period. 183. The Ministers stressed the importance of Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) as a source of concessional funding for poor countries. They underlined the need to place ESAF on a self-financing basis through substantial contributions from industrial countries and if required, supplemented by sale of a limited quantity of gold, without prejudice to gold producing developing countries and other developing countries. 184. The Ministers recalled the decision taken at the Cartagena Summit and declared that when the Structural Adjustment programmes (SAPs) are agreed to, they should be fully funded by the developed countries and include social development goals, in particular eradicating poverty, promoting full and productive employment and enhancing social integration. 185. The Ministers stressed that mounting external indebtedness continued to cripple the development efforts of a large proportion of the developing countries. They deplored the negative phenomenon of net reverse transfer of flow from developing to developed countries economies. Despite numerous strategies, a final solution continued to elude the developing countries. Thus, they advocated the importance of a "once and for all" approach which would reduce the overall debt burden and service to the levels necessary to restore development through meaningful reduction of all categories of debt by major group of creditor developed countries, including multilateral creditors. This would include adopting an integrated approach for all types of indebtedness including multilateral bilateral or commercial, which could help to achieve a comprehensive, effective, equitable, development oriented and durable solution to the debt and debt servicing problem. They called for implementation of bold measures of debt cancellation for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs). They further stressed that any solution should be non- discriminatory and transparent and should lead to net transfer of new resources from the developed to the developing countries. The Ministers underlined that the assessment of contribution from developed country creditors should be based on the provision of additional resources so as to prevent diversion of scarce development funds for debt relief. 186. In this context, the Ministers welcomed the initiative of the international financial institutions to assist the HIPCs in seeking to resolve their debt problems and stressed the need for speedy and full implementation. They also stressed there was a number of elements that need to be strengthened. Developed countries are urged to consider shortening of the adjustment period in keeping with the criticality of the situation in the concerned HIPCs as also the eligibility of additional HIPCs for debt burden relief. Furthermore, while welcoming the decision by the Paris Club, the Ministers believed that the debt reduction would have been more substantive if the Paris Club had considered to reduce debt by 90 percent as proposed recently by the Ministers of the Group 24. They also pointed out that it was important not to introduce new conditionality. 187. The Ministers recalled the endorsement given by Heads of State/Government during the Cartagena Summit to the idea of creating a Ministerial Group with the participation of Ministers from Developing countries including from the LDCs and developed countries to jointly review the operation of the international monetary and financial system and formulate recommendations aimed at its reform. The reform should, interalia, be geared towards supporting the requirements of the developing countries with a special attention to the needs of the LDCs and should promote greater interaction with United Nations system. They also endorsed the initiative to convene an international conference on the financing of development to deal with issues of capital flows and resource mobilization. E. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 188. The Ministers underlined that the Progress of developing countries is dependent both on access to technology and on their endogenous capacity to develop it. They attached special importance to environmentally sound and safe technologies and biotechnology. They expressed their concern at measures aimed at blocking, for political and other ends, the transfer of technology to developing countries. The controls imposed by highly industrialized countries on the export of dual-use technology and other types of sensitive technology should not be used to prevent access of developing countries to technology for peaceful, developmental purposes. 189. The Ministers welcomed with satisfaction the implementation by the Center for Science & Technology of Non-Aligned Countries of an expanded programme of cooperation. They stressed, however, that the Center requires a sufficient level of commitment and financial contribution in order to be able to serve the Movement effectively. They called upon all Non-Aligned countries and other developing countries to subscribe to the Statute of the Center and strengthen the Center financially. 190. The Ministers welcomed the outcome of the Meeting of Experts on Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned Countries held in Cartagena from 17 to 19 March 1997, and approved the Cooperation Plan on Science and Technology in the area of biodiversity adopted by the Meeting of Experts contained in document NAC/FMl2/Inf.001. F. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION 191. The Ministers recalled the Declaration on UNIDO adopted at the XIth Summit of the Movement and stressed the continuing importance and relevance of UNIDO as the central coordinating agency in the UN system in the field of industrial development. They welcomed the reform process undertaken successfully by UNIDO, enhancing its effectiveness with a firm stand for supporting and promoting industrial development and for providing specialized technical services. They re-affirmed their commitment to support and strengthen UNIDO to enable it to fully exercise its mandate. The Ministers called upon all Member States of UNIDO, in particular the industrialized countries, to renew their commitment to industrial development co-operation and to a stronger and more viable UNIDO in the spirit of global partnership and mutual benefit. They urged some developed countries to reconsider their announced withdrawal from UNIDO. They underscored the need to secure the future of UNIDO as a specialized agency vital to the promotion of industrial development in developing countries in the context of the multilateral development cooperation system. G. ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 192. The Ministers recalled the spirit of partnership and cooperation invoked at the UN Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. They noted with satisfaction the importance given to the issue of environment and development by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The Ministers underlined the effective actions undertaken by all Non-Aligned countries for the implementation of Agenda 21 under extremely difficult and unfavorable international circumstances. They noted the progressive development of environmental law in several Non-Aligned countries. The Ministers observed that while environmental problems of developed countries are associated with unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, those afflicting developing countries are, to a large extent, the result of poverty and underdevelopment and of their technical and financial limitations. They stressed that the overriding priority of developing countries was eradication of poverty and that sustainable development must therefore be considered within the context of sustained economic growth, with eradication of poverty as the primary objective. 193. The Ministers noted with grave concern that five years after the Earth Summit: o the required new and additional resources for implementation of Agenda 21 had not been forthcoming; o transfers of environmentally sound technologies and technical know-how on concessional and preferential terms had not materialized; o the requirements of the pivotal concept of "common but differentiated responsibilities" has not gained adequate attention and not received a practical commitment by developed industrial countries; and o the failure to maintain a balance between the social and economic issues and the conservation and management of resources for development, with an overemphasis on environmental protection has undermined development as the building block of Agenda 21. 194. The Ministers therefore called for urgent implementation of the commitments, recommendations and agreements reached at the UN Conference on Environment and Development. They stressed the need for Non-Aligned countries to prepare and effectively project coordinated NAM positions during the Special Session of the UN on the Review of the Implementation of Agenda 21. The Special Session should assess the progress made since 1992, analyze the reasons for the failures to implement the international commitments made, and identify measures that need to be taken for the full and accelerated implementation of Agenda 21, without reopening issues agreed in Rio de Janeiro. 195. The Ministers reiterated their support to UNEP as the forum to deal, in an integrated manner, with environmental matters, to its mandate in building consensus on new and emerging issues in fields of environment and its role of coordination and analysis. 196. The Ministers recognised the critical issue of water in the world and its strategic nature for humanity. They welcomed, in this regard, the Marrakesh Declaration adopted by the first world water Forum held on 20 and 21 March 1997 in Morocco, and recommended examination of the advantages of the conversion of this Forum into a permanent institution in order to coordinate international cooperation and promote the transfer of technology in this field. In this context, the Ministers welcomed the appeal of His Majesty King of Morocco, for the creation of an international Fund to combat the water pollution and to enhance the international cooperation in this area. 197. The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Countries Parties to the Convention on Conservation and sustainable Use of Biodiversity underlined the importance of the biosafety protocol, in negotiations, and the need to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries and to assist their institutional capacity building to allow them to manage rationally their needs and their capacities concerning safety in biotechnology. 198. The Ministers called for the strengthening of UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and HABITAT and for ensuring that adequate funds are allocated for their various mandates. They further urged for the full utilization of the facilities of the two agencies on meetings on environment and human settlements. 199. The Ministers expressed their concern that the developed countries, either directly or through international institutions, resort to environmental pretexts to increase obstacles to trade, intervene in the internal affairs of developing countries and impose conditionalities on official assistance and the financing of development, while their unsustainable production and consumption patterns continue to severely affect the environment. They emphasized that in no case does the adoption of measures based on these pretexts make any positive contribution to the conservation of the environment. 200. The Ministers urged the international community for ensuring a full and effective implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries experiencing serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, especially through the provision of new and additional financial resources. H. SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION 201. The Ministers reiterated that South-South cooperation is an essential mechanism for promoting accelerated economic growth and development and self reliance, giving a greater dynamism to the world economy and promoting the restructuring of international economic relations. They stressed that South-South cooperation should be promoted through the sharing of development experiences, transfer of technology and exploiting the latent synergies and complementarities between the Non-Aligned countries and increasing the FDI flows and economic cooperation among them. They noted the considerable development of capacities in the South, which should lend significant impetus to South-South cooperation. The Ministers noted the bilateral cooperation programmes promoting South-South cooperation undertaken by several Non-Aligned countries and called for extension of such programmes with the LDCs. They at the same time reiterated their conviction that evolutionary and tripartite approaches should be intensively explored and implemented. The Ministers considered that institutions and mechanisms created in the context of the Action Programmes on Economic Cooperation (APEC) of the Non-Aligned Movement should be reactivated. 202. The Ministers stressed that the scope offered by the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) in promoting South-South cooperation should be fully exploited and called for a further strengthening of the GSTP. The Ministers called upon all Member States of NAM to join the GSTP and contribute to make it a viable and strong instrument for liberalizing and promoting South-South trade. The Third Round of the GSTP should be launched and result in meaningful expansion of intra-South trade and investment. 203. The Ministers noted the positive outcome of the South-South Conference on Trade, Investment and Finance held in Costa Rica in January 1997, including the San Jose Plan of Action. 204. They also took note of the important and positive role played by the Joint Coordination Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 (JCC) over the past few years in advancing the common positions of the developing countries on different global issues. 205. The Ministers reaffirmed the commitment to harmonizing their efforts to bring greater coherence and further consolidate the unity and to promote greater interaction among the developing countries. In this regard, the Ministers noted the fact that many areas of the NAM's Action Programme on Economic Cooperation (APEC) overlapped with those of the Group of 77 Caracas Programme of Action (CPA) and considered also the limited capacity of countries of both the Movement and the Group of 77 to provide financial support for the implementation of South-South cooperation. Bearing in mind the mandate of the JCC whose objective of establishment is to harmonize the NAM's APEC and the G-77's CPA, they instructed the JCC to make appropriate recommendations to the next NAM Summit through the Coordinating Bureau. 206. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of political will that must underlie all South-South cooperation and in this regard they stressed that the proposal for convening a South summit contained in the San Jose Declaration should be explored on priority basis. 207. The Ministers acknowledged that the full potential of South-South cooperation is yet to be realized. They therefore committed themselves to strengthening and expanding the present efforts, initiating new and concrete forms and priorities for cooperation including projects by groups of developing countries, and devising realistic and viable modalities for their implementation. 208. The Ministers called for: o the holding of a UN Conference on South-South cooperation; o promotion and strengthening of TCDC programmes to encourage systematic exchange of information and development experiences between NAM countries; o strengthen TCDC programmes in the context of the agencies of the UN systems, taking into account positive outcome of the FAO; o cooperation in human resource development for economic growth and social development; o expansion of scholarships, fellowships, student exchange programmes, short-term technical training programmes, and the creation of Centers of Excellence in Non-Aligned countries; o promoting, facilitating and enhancing the activities of all sectors of their economies, in the area of South-South cooperation; o cooperation from developed countries and international, and regional financial institutions in promoting and facilitating South-South cooperation; o greater interaction amongst Central Banks, Finance Ministries, and financial institutions of Member countries to promote trade and other South-South Cooperation activities; o special and additional preferences be accorded to LDCs during the next round of Ministerial level of the Generalized System of Trade Preferences, with a view to enhancing their competitiveness and market access. o promotion of direct investment flows among developing countries, through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and free economic trade zones, based on favorable and competitive term, which in turn would generate larger markets at the bilateral, sub-regional, regional and inter-regional level. o the reduction of both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade among the NAM countries. o regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration as an important aspect for the promotion of North-South and South-South cooperation. 209. They welcomed the fact that many countries in the South had become economically and technologically dynamic and acquired new global capabilities in industry, agriculture, infrastructure and services. This made for unprecedented opportunities for South-South cooperation based on these merging strengths and complementarities and through intensified regional cooperation, trade expansion, joint ventures, technical collaboration and the transfer of knowledge, experience and skills. 210. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made in the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement Center for South-South Technical Cooperation in Indonesia with the cooperation of Brunei Darussalam. They reiterated the importance of the Center as one of the vital and effective means for promoting and accelerating development in the developing countries and as an integral part of the endeavors of the Movement to further strengthen South-South Cooperation. The Ministers invited both developed and developing countries as well as international organizations and institutions to join in supporting the Center. 211. The Ministers welcomed the decision to convene a Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Non-Aligned Countries in September 1997, as called for at the XI Conference of Heads of State or Government, with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the field of culture among the Non-Aligned and other developing countries. I. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 212. The Ministers welcomed the outcome of the Fifth Conference of Ministers of Information of the Non-Aligned Countries (COMINAC V) held in Abuja in September 1996, which, interalia, agreed on the need for intensive research efforts by Non-Aligned countries in the development of communication technology and inter- and intra-regional cooperation through NAM mechanisms geared to this end, as a means of redressing the continued imbalances and inequalities between developed and developing countries in the field of information and communication. In this context, the Ministers stressed the importance to further enhance the function and network of the Non-Aligned News Agencies Pool (NANAP) and Broadcasting Organizations of Non-Aligned Countries (BONAC). 213. The Ministers expressed their concern over the increasing use of defamation and the distortion of information by some mass media of developed countries, such as Voice of Free Asia, established in 1996 and Radio Marti to destabilize the Governments of developing countries and called for an immediate end to such acts. J. FOLLOW-UP OF MAJOR CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS 214. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the outcome of the World Food Summit and the HABITAT II Conference, specially on matters relating to international cooperation. They expressed their willingness to work constructively to promote a firm political commitment for the full implementation of the Programme of Action of the World Food Summit and the HABITAT II Agenda as agreed. The Ministers recalled that the right to food is a fundamental human right and its promotion constitutes a moral imperative of the international community. Therefore, they emphatically rejected the use of food as an instrument of economic or political pressure. They also considered it necessary to undertake studies on the impact of the new multilateral trading system on food supply and its possible consequences on food security, particularly in net food importing countries. 215. The Ministers called for urgent and immediate generation of political will in the international community to follow up and implement the recommendations of the recent United Nations conferences as agreed, particularly those related to new and additional resources for development, creation of an economic environment favorable to the sustained economic growth of developing countries, and access to technology, technical know-how, eradication of poverty, creation of productive employment and empowerment of women. They stressed that strong political commitment was needed to implement strengthened international cooperation for development. In this connection and as a first and essential step, the developed countries must provide new and additional financial resources for the implementation of the commitments made at these conferences and summits. 216. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the outcome of the World Solar Summit held in Harare in September 1995 with reference to new and renewable energy resources which are environmentally friendly. Follow-up action would complement, strengthen and integrate efforts on Environment and Development, Science and Technology, Industrial Development and South-South & North-South Cooperation. Some NAM countries and other developing countries have made considerable progress in developing solar energy resources which could be the basis for cooperation among developing countries. K. CRITICAL SITUATION IN AFRICA 217. The Ministers observed that despite the efforts being undertaken by many African countries and in spite of signs of progress in their economies, they are still facing serious economic and social problems. They called upon the international community to continue and also increase its support to African countries to enable them to achieve sustained economic growth. They reaffirmed also the necessity to undertake specific measures for Africa to attract more foreign investments and ODA, to reduce the debt burden, to eradicate poverty, to increase access to markets, and to strengthen their capacities to enable them to harmoniously integrate into the world economy. 218. The Ministers acknowledged the positive changes that are taking place in the African region during the last few years as reflected by the midterm review of the UN NADAF. Nevertheless, the socio-economic situation in Africa remained critical and to consolidate the positive achievements, it is necessary for the international community to continue to support Africa's efforts through a provision of new and additional resources and by ensuring a favorable external economic environment. 219. The Ministers urged the international community to reaffirm its commitment to seek lasting solutions to the severe challenges facing the African continent with special attention to, among others, regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration, durable solutions to Africa's external debt problem, diversification of Africa's economies, more access to trade and market opportunities, resource flows and transfer of technology. 220. The Ministers took note of the outcome of the mid-term review of the UN NADAF and called upon the international community to implement the renewed commitment to ensure that the targets of the UN NADAF will be reached within the time frame of the programme. 221. The Ministers urged the Movement to support the African countries in their efforts to carry out the commitments they made in the UN NADAF as well as under the Cairo Agenda for Action. 222. The Ministers also urged that the new and additional funding must be made available to enable the implementation of the United Nations System-wide special initiative on Africa. The Ministers also welcomed the efforts of the different African countries at development vis-à-vis the UN ten year $ 25 billion system-wide initiative to assist Africa and called on members of the Movement to extend their support to that special initiative and similar redemptive measures. L. SITUATION OF LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 223. The Ministers reaffirmed their conviction that globalization and liberalization should offer equal opportunities for all countries and enable developing countries to play a more active role in the world economy. In order to overcome the possible risk of instability and marginalisation, they called for special measures to be taken to maximize the positive impact of these processes for all developing countries, with particular attention to the interest of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). 224. The Ministers took note of the Singapore Ministerial Conference of WTO and in view of the principle of special and differential measures accorded for the developing countries, emphasized the need for full and expeditious implementation of the Marrakesh Agreements, specially in areas of interest to developing countries, such as textiles and agriculture particularly of relevance to LDCs and net food importing developing countries. 225. The Ministers agreed that in order to arrest and reverse the marginalisation of the LDCs, special measures are required to be taken to ensure their integration into the global economy and strengthen their capacity to compete effectively in world trade along with full and effective implementation of the Paris Programme of Action for LDCs, the outcome of its Mid-term Global Review as well as the LDCs Plan of Action contained in the WTO Ministerial Declaration of Singapore. In this connection, the Ministers stressed the importance of holding a high level meeting in June 1997 jointly by WTO, UNCTAD and ITC with the participation of LDC governments, various aid agencies and multilateral institutions to adopt an integral approach to assist these countries to enhance their trade opportunities. 226. The Ministers also noted that South-South cooperation would be a very useful instrument to prepare the LDCs during the transitional period. For this purpose, developing countries having capacity to share their experience should consider providing technical and other relevant support including removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to create market opportunities for products from the LDCs to their markets. 227. The Ministers recognised that investment was a key determinant of economic development and creation of employment in developing countries. While the need for increasing the flow of Foreign Direct Investment was a priority for jump-starting the economies of the developing countries, in particular the LDCs, to prepare them for integration into the emerging world economic order, intra-South investment was an equally important element for this purpose. In this context, direct investment from advanced developing countries as well as developed countries to other developing countries and the LDCs. 228. The Ministers noted that the flow of resources among countries constituted a key input for growth. Therefore, developing and developed countries should coordinate and implement strategies to accelerate world growth, promote sustained and substantial flows of ODA and promote a system of financial cooperation capable of reducing the level of financial volatility, taking into consideration the special vulnerability of the LDCs. 229. The Ministers noted with appreciation the recent initiative taken by the Chairman of the NAM to hold regular consultations with the Chairman of the G-77 with a view to exchanging views on various issues of mutual interest. In this connection, they expressed their support to the efforts of the NAM Chairman to continue to reflect, in his consultation with the Chairman of G-7, the concerns and interests of the LDCs in view of the fact that these are the countries most adversely affected in the current process of globalization. M. SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) 230. The Ministers affirmed their full support for the system-wide implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States adopted by the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States which was held in Bridgetown, Barbados from 25 April to 6 May 1994. They reaffirmed in particular the need for the provision of adequate, predictable, new and additional financial resources, transfer of environmentally sound technologies, including on concessional and preferential terms as mutually agreed, and the promotion of fair and non-discriminatory trading arrangements. They also noted the need for appropriate exchanges among small island developing states and between them and other States with similar development experiences to be encouraged. 231. The Ministers noted that a full review of the Programme of Action is scheduled for 1999. In this context, they urged the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) at its fifth session, as well as the special session of the General Assembly to be held in June, 1997, to continue its support for, and provide new impetus to be Programme of Action, including making recommendations on the specific modalities for examining all its outstanding chapters. 232. The Ministers again stressed the _____. international community to pay special attention to, and to contribute actively to resolving, the critical situations in Africa, and the special problems of the LDC's, Small Islands Developing State and Land Locked and the Transit Developing Countries. CHAPTER IV : SOCIAL ISSUES A. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ERADICATION 233. The Ministers, stressing that the eradication of poverty was the overriding priority for developing countries, reiterated their commitment to the uplift of the poor, weaker and disadvantaged sections of their societies through accelerated and sustained economic growth and specifically targeted actions. They stressed the need for the creation of a supportive international environment and called on the developed countries to fulfil the commitments undertaken for the provision of additional financial resources. The Ministers also called on all international agencies and bodies to incorporate the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on Social Development in their programmes and activities. They also expressed the need for the full implementation of UN General Assembly Resolutions 50/167 and 51/202. 234. The Ministers expressed deep concern that the process of marginalisation of the poor, particularly of women have continued, specially in the LDCs and African countries. They reaffirmed that the eradication of poverty was essential to ensure long-term peace and security as well as to achieve sustainable social and economic development. 235. They recognised that the poorest of the poor could not reap the benefits of most of the poverty eradication programmes. They also noted that the market forces could not address the worsening poverty situation. In this context, they commended the microcredit programmes which contributed significantly to poverty eradication and to the empowerment of the poor, particularly women. 236. They called upon the member countries to support the plan of action adopted at the Microcredit Summit held in Washington D.C. in February 1997 aimed at bringing 100 million of the world's poorest families, particularly women, out of poverty by the year 2005. 237. The Ministers encouraged the free formation of cooperatives, community and other grass-roots organization, mutual support groups recreational/sports associations and similar institutions that tend to strengthen social integration, paying particular attention to policies promoting equality and social justice. B. HUMAN RIGHTS 238. The Ministers recalled the position of the Non-Aligned Movement on human rights as stipulated at the XI NAM Summit at Cartagena and reiterated their commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights. They stressed that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. 239. While stressing the indivisible nature of all human rights, the Foreign Ministers made special emphasis on the importance of the right to development for all peoples, as an integral part of the fundamental human rights. They welcomed adoption of the resolution 51/99 on the right to development by the UN General Assembly. 240. The Ministers stressed that the human rights issues must be addressed within the global context through a constructive, dialogue based approach, with objectivity, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, impartiality and non- selectivity as the guiding principles, taking into account the political, historical, social, religious and cultural characteristics of each country. Exploitation of human rights for political purposes, including selective targeting of individual countries for extraneous consideration should be excluded. They emphasized the coordination of human rights activities must be carried out by United Nations organs, bodies and specialized agencies, whose activities deal with human rights. 241. They affirmed that poverty and social exclusion constitute a violation of human dignity. It is essential for States to promote efforts to combat extreme poverty and to foster participation by the poorest members of the society in the decision-making process. 242. Every state should provide an effective framework for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the international covenants on human rights and other relevant international instruments on human rights, as well as a framework of remedies to redress human rights grievances or violations. In this context they reaffirmed the important and constructive role to be played by independent national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights and stressed that every effort should be made for the impartiality and objectivity of the national institutions. They recognised that it is the right of each State to choose the framework for national institutions, which is best suited to the particular needs at the national level. 243. The Ministers urged States to ensure that their constitutional and internal legal systems, taking into account the respective country conditions, provide effective guarantees for fundamental human rights such as freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without discrimination. They condemned unequivocally all violent acts and activities that infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, tolerance and respect for diversity. 244. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the General Assembly resolution 51/100 entitled "Enhancement of the International Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights" and called for the continuation of consultations on the need to promote international cooperation in the field of human rights through genuine and constructive dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality of States. 245. The Ministers put special emphasis on the need to rationalize the work of the United Nations human rights machinery with a view to avoiding duplication of individual mandates and to promoting consensus through a strengthened system of consultation. They also emphasized the need for regional balance in the composition and structure of all human rights bodies, in particular the Center for Human Rights through appointment of personnel from developing countries. 246. The Ministers emphasized the need, for the appointment of the next High Commissioner for Human Rights from a developing country. 247. The Ministers recalled the General Assembly resolution 51/103 entitled "Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures", and restressed the fact that human rights should not be used as instruments of political pressure especially against Non-Aligned and other developing countries. 248. The Ministers called for the full implementation of relevant UNESCO resolutions and decisions relating to the restitution of cultural property of peoples formerly under colonial rule and urged the payment of applicable compensation. 249. The Ministers unequivocally condemned international terrorism as a criminal act and noted that terrorism endangers the very territorial integrity and security of states, due to acts of terrorism which take place within States, specially those which violate human rights in particular the right to life of all citizens and that destroy the physical and economic infrastructure, and attempts to destabilize legitimately constituted governments. They expressed their resolve to take speedy and effective measures to eliminate international terrorism and urged all States to fulfil their obligations under international law, including prosecuting or, where appropriate, extraditing the perpetrators of such acts and preventing the organization and instigation of terrorism against other third States from within or outside their territories. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for General Assembly resolution 46/51 of 27 January 1992 which unequivocally condemned as criminal and unjustifiable all acts, methods and practices of terrorism wherever and by whomever committed and called upon all States to fulfil their obligations under international law to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in terrorist acts in other States, or acquiescing in or encouraging activities within their territory directed towards the commissioning of such acts. 250. The Ministers further called on all States to endorse in principle the convening of an international Conference under the auspices of the United Nations to define terrorism, to differentiate it from the struggle for national liberation and to reach comprehensive and effective measures for concerted action. They also denounced the brutalization of peoples kept under foreign occupation as the gravest form of terrorism. The Ministers condemned the use of State power for the suppression and violence against innocent civilians struggling against foreign occupation to exercise their inalienable right to self determination. They stressed the sanctity of this right and urged that in this era of enlarged freedom and democracy, people under foreign occupation should be allowed to freely determine their destiny. In this context, they also reaffirmed the principled position of the Movement that the struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for self-determination did not constitute terrorism. 251. The Ministers welcomed with satisfaction the adoption of General Assembly resolution 50/186 entitled "Human Rights and Terrorism" and renewed their concern at the gross violation of human rights perpetrated by terrorist groups, and reiterated their condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism. C. INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL 252. The Ministers welcomed the convening of a Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1998 dedicated to the fight against the illicit production, sale, demand, trafficking and distribution of drugs and psychotropic substances and drug related offences. In this regard, they reaffirmed their determination to achieving concrete results on all the objectives set out in resolutions 51/64 for the Special Session, on the basis of the principle of shared responsibility for addressing the demand and supply aspects of drug trafficking. They also reiterated the commitment undertaken at the XIth Summit to strengthen international cooperation to eradicate the growing and dangerous links between terrorist groups, drug-traffickers and their para-military gangs, and other armed criminal groups, which have resorted to all types of violence, thus undermining the democratic institutions of States and violating basic human rights. They called for the adoption of effective measures to restrict the smuggling of guns which is linked to the drug trade and which is generating unacceptable levels of crime and violence affecting the national security and the economies of many States. 253. The Ministers called upon the international community and international financial institutions to take necessary measures to contain money laundering from drug trade, which also affects international financial system. 254. The Ministers expressed serious concern about the destabilizing effects on society, particularly on youth, of the illicit use, production, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and renewed their commitment to fight against the illicit production, trafficking, distribution and consumption of drugs in all stages and modalities, as well as against money laundering, arms, ammunition and explosives trafficking, and the deflection of precursory and essential chemical substances. 255. They reiterated that the illicit drug chain begins with the insufficiently controlled trade of the precursory and essential chemical substances for the production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and is completed with the laundering of money through the international financial and commercial channels. Therefore they considered that, on account of its global nature, the drug problem can only be dealt with effectively through international cooperation based on the principle of shared responsibility in which national-measures are articulated with a global, integral, and balanced response to the illegal drugs problems. 256. The Ministers considered the phenomenon of illicit drugs as a common threat, and called for the commitment of all members of the international community for its solution. They rejected the unbalanced, inequitable and selective form in which some developed countries seek to assign a major responsibility to specific countries, due to political considerations. 257. Since poverty underlies illicit crop cultivation, the Ministers called for enhanced international cooperation for alternative development programmes and for environmental rehabilitation in the areas of illicit crop cultivation. 258. The Ministers called upon the United Nations Drug Control Programme and developed countries to fully support developing countries in their fight against illicit drugs, through providing them with adequate financial and technical assistance. D. ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN 259. The Ministers welcomed the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women and reiterated that the advancement of Women is of critical importance to development, environmental protection and promotion of peace and social justice in the world. To this end, the Ministers proposed a holistic approach through the entire life cycle of Women in promoting the full enjoyment of all human rights by women and girls, including the empowerment of women and economic independence of women and reiterated the commitment of their Governments to: o make available human and financial resources for the empowerment of women, the integration of a gender perspective in budgetary discussions on policies and programmes as well as adequate financing of specific programmes for securing equality between women and men. o to implement specific programmes for the eradication of poverty and illiteracy, ensuring women's equal access to education, training, employment and promotion of entrepreneurial activities, and strongly urged the international community to support national efforts towards the advancement of women in developing countries, particularly in Africa and LDCs. o encourage the members to take concerted action to create a peaceful, just and humane world based on all human rights including the principle of equality for all people of all ages and from all walks of life. o encourage the active support and participation of a broad and diverse range of other institutional actors, including legislative bodies, academic and research institutions and women non-governmental organizations and enhance the co-operation between them in the framework of South-South co-operation. o to enhance the role of women in the process of development and their full participation on the basis of equality in decision making at all levels. 260. The Ministers welcomed and supported the Plan of Action and conclusion of the Pan African Conference on Peace, Gender and Development which was held in Kigali, Rwanda between 1-3 March, 1997 under the aegis of the OAU, UNDP and UN Economic Commission for Africa, as a follow up of the Fourth World Conference on Women. 261. The Ministers were convinced that educational and health programmes need to focus more on women, especially the girl child. In the same vein, the attack on poverty, in particular rural poverty, must take into consideration the special needs of women. Further, to enhance the role of women in the process of development, their increased participation in decision-making at all levels is of cardinal importance. They affirmed that a conducive international environment contributes to and accelerates the achievement of equality between men and women. 262. The Ministers expressed their abhorrence on the increasing victimization of women, especially in situations of armed conflict, and the systematic use of rape by the parties to conflicts as an instrument of war, ethnic cleansing and terrorism. They called on countries to take necessary measures against all such perpetrators of violence in order to put an end to all such practices forthwith. 263. The Ministers pledged themselves to combat all forms of discrimination against women and to eradicate its more pernicious manifestations like physical violence, and sexual harassment directed against girls and women. They also invited Member States of the Movement that have not yet ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women to do so in order to reach the goal of universal ratification by the year 2000. 264. The Ministers also condemned the brutality and violence in connection with hostage taking, and use, particularly of women and children as human shields. E. SITUATION OF CHILDREN 265. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the initiatives taken by the international community for survival, protection and development of children in recent years. The World Summit for Children held in New York in 1990 and the Declaration and the Plan of Action called upon all countries to formulate National Plans of Action with quantifiable time-bound targets. The Ministers urged all members to vigorously pursue implementation of their respective plans of action and called upon the international community to supplement their efforts. 266. They noted with satisfaction that the Convention on the Rights of the Child was nearing universal adherence and urged all the remaining members who had not done so to ratify or to accede to the Convention without further delay. They also rededicated themselves to its full and effective implementation including the fulfillment of reporting obligations. 267. The Ministers expressed serious concern at the intolerable social and economic conditions faced by children, in particular those in especially difficult circumstances. They expressed particular concern at the continued exploitation of children for pornography, prostitution and drug trafficking as well as at the suffering of the refugee and displaced children. They called for urgent steps in particular international cooperation, to address these problems. 268. The Ministers also expressed deep concern about the difficult situation of many children who are innocent victims of armed conflict in various parts of the world and over the recruitment, organization and employment of children in armed conflicts. They condemned this inhuman practice. They urged all countries to refrain from recruiting or arming children and called upon them to support the work on an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. 269. The Ministers urged all members to effectively ban employment of children in hazardous occupations and eliminate child labor through a comprehensive policy including, inter alia, encouragement for sending children to school and retaining them in the educational system through innovative approaches and by eliminating family poverty which is the major cause of child labor. F. YOUTH 270. The Ministers felt that it was essential to promote awareness among youth in Non-Aligned countries of the goals of the Movement and to encourage exchanges and interaction among young people of the Member States. They expressed concern at some of the problems facing young men and women, such as drugs and unemployment. In this context, they urged governments and concerned International Organizations to devote greater efforts to the ten priority areas identified in the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, namely education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities, girls and young women and the hill and effective participation of youth in the life of society. G. RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION 271. Opposition to racial discrimination and elimination of all forms of exploitation and inequality have been accorded the highest priority in the agenda of the Movement. The Movement had been in the forefront of the successful struggle against apartheid. The Ministers, however, noted disturbing trends regarding contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. They underlined that migrant workers and their families required special attention in this regard. They urged all States, in particular developed countries, to cooperate more closely with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, and to take all steps. particularly in the legislative, administrative and educational fields, to combat new forms of racism. They also called upon members to help promote the goals of the Third Decade to combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. They also underlined the need to convene, as soon as possible, a world conference against racism, racial and ethnic discrimination, xenophobia and other related contemporary forms of intolerance. 272. The Ministers expressed serious concern at the acts of violence linked to the manifestation of xenophobia and other forms of contemporary racism and racial discrimination. H. HUMANITARIAN ACTION 273. The Ministers underlined the importance of promoting the respect for the universally recognised humanitarian principles and for the international humanitarian law, particularly those of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their 977 Additional Protocols. They invited those States which have not yet done so to ratify or accede to the two Protocols additional to the Geneva Convention of 1949. 274. The Ministers considered it essential to make a distinction among humanitarian action and UN peace-keeping and peace-enforcement operations as well as operational activities for development. In order to pursue the independence, neutrality and the impartiality of humanitarian action, such action must be kept distinct from, and independent of political military action, in accordance with the respective mandates while ensuring the observance of international humanitarian laws. 275. The Ministers reiterated that humanitarian assistance is not an alternative to development assistance and offer durable solution of those problems that are at the origin of the need to giant emergency assistance. In this context, they stated that financial, material and human resources devoted to emergency-assistance should not be taken from those geared at development assistance. I. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT 276. The Ministers expressed their concern over the emergence of stringent immigration policies in various developed countries which severely restrict the free movement of people and breed xenophobia. They also expressed deep concern over new immigration laws and regulations recently adopted by some developed countries which could lead to massive deportations of immigrants from Non-Aligned Countries and earlier developing countries and to violations of fundamental human rights. The called upon those developed countries to take fully into account the social and economic effects those deportations would have on the affected developing countries, particularly those facing high debt burdens and high unemployment situations. The Ministers emphasized that due attention be accorded to migrants and their families in the host countries as per relevant international instruments. They also called upon the host countries to ensure the protection of immigrants and their families from all kinds of racism, discrimination and violence. DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT SUMMIT 277. The Ministers welcomed the offer of Government of South Africa to host the XIIth NAM Summit and asked all NAM countries to actively participate in that important Summit.