 |
Final Communiqué of the Meeting of the Ministers for
Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Non-Aligned Movement during the 56th
Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations held in New York on 14 November 2001
We, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and
Heads of Delegation of the Non-Aligned Movement, met in New York on 14 November 2001
within the framework of the 56th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, to
coordinate our efforts and establish guidelines to enable the members of the Movement to
work in a collective manner on matters of common concern and interest vis-à-vis the
agenda of the General Assembly.
We express our satisfaction over the preparations to solemnly
commemorate the Fortieth Anniversary of the establishment of the Movement and the adoption
of the Declaration of the Non-Aligned Movement on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of
the founding of the Movement. We reaffirm the founding principles and objectives of the
Movement and we believe that this period of celebration of achievement also present an
opportunity to reflect on the Movement’s role in meeting present and future
challenges facing the developing countries.
We express our warm appreciation for the Report of the Chair of the
Movement on the activities of the NAM.
We express our determination to make every effort to further strengthen
the Non-Aligned Movement’s capacity for action and to develop concrete modalities to
enhance the influence and impact of its decisions on world affairs. We must take up the
challenge to fundamentally transform international relations so as to eradicate
aggression, the use of force, unilateral coercive measures, foreign occupation, unfair
economic practices, racism and xenophobia in order to achieve a world of peace, justice
and dignity for all.
We reaffirm our commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and
underscore the need to preserve and promote the centrality and sanctity of its principles
and purposes.
We also reaffirm our support to the principles and commitments set out
in the Millennium Declaration. We acknowledge our collective responsibility to uphold
these principles and to implement the commitments of the Millennium Declaration.
We reiterate our rejection of the so-called "right" of
humanitarian intervention, which has no legal basis in the UN Charter or in the general
principles of international law. In this context, as requested by the XIII Ministerial
Conference of the Movement, the Co-ordinating Bureau in New York will remain seized of the
consideration of the concept of humanitarian intervention and other related matters.
We reaffirm the distinction between humanitarian assistance and UN
peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations as well as operational activities for
development and emphasise that humanitarian assistance is designed to address the
consequences and not the causes thereof. Humanitarian assistance should be kept distinct
from and independent of political or military action. It must be provided in accordance
with the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality as well as the guiding
principles contained in General Assembly Resolution 46/182 of 12 December 1991, national
legislation and international humanitarian law.
<<Back to Top>>
We welcome all decisions which have been adopted which are aimed at
strengthening and revitalising the role of the General Assembly as the highest
deliberative and decision-making organ of the United Nations, with equal participation of
all Member States, especially the decisions related to the consideration by the General
Assembly of the reports of other main organs, in particular the report of the Security
Council and the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organisation as an
important step towards a meaningful and sustained interaction between the General Assembly
and the Security Council. We also note the ongoing discussions to improve the working
methods and procedures of the General Assembly, and express our readiness to continue to
participate actively in that process.
We note 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.
We call on the Permanent Representatives of the NAM member states in New York to continue,
in the ensuing negotiations in the Open-Ended Working Group, to pursue NAM directives
which were adopted during the XI and XII Summits, which are contained in the Movement's
position and negotiating papers and the decisions of the Ministerial Conference and
Ministerial Meetings since the XII Ministerial Conference. We welcome the adoption of UNGA
resolution 53/30 and the Report of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Question of
Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council
(A/53/47).
We reaffirm the guiding principles regarding peacekeeping operations
adopted at the XI Ministerial Conference held in Cairo in 1994 and reiterate the
Movement’s position on peacekeeping adopted by the XII Summit held in Durban in 1998.
We reiterate that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace
and security resides with the United Nations and that the role of regional arrangements,
in that regard, should be in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter,
and should not in any way substitute the role of the United Nations, or circumvent the
full application of the guiding principles of United Nations peacekeeping. In this regard,
we affirm that peacekeeping operations constitute important instruments at the disposal of
the Organisation in fulfilling its responsibility. We stress the need to avoid selectivity
and double standards in establishing UN peacekeeping operations in Africa.
We reiterate our view that peacekeeping operations should not be used as
a substitute for addressing the root causes of conflict which should be addressed in a
coherent, well-planned, coordinated and comprehensive manner with political, social and
developmental instruments. Consideration should be given to ways in which those efforts
can continue without interruption after the departure of peacekeeping operations so as to
ensure a smooth transition to lasting peace and security.
We emphasise that the United Nations should be able to effectively plan
and manage peacekeeping operations, some of which have to undertake complex tasks of a
multidisciplinary nature, and deploy rapidly after the adoption of a UN mandate. We
acknowledge the contributions of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the
Report of the Panel on United Nations Operations (Brahimi Report) in this regard. We also
express our appreciation for the work done by the NAM Working Group on Peacekeeping under
the chairmanship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
We reaffirm that the funding of the United Nations peacekeeping
operation through voluntary contributions should not influence UN Security Council
decisions to establish peacekeeping operations or affect their mandate. We stress the need
for regular and institutionalised consultations between troop contributing countries and
the Security Council. We also stress the need to differentiate between peacekeeping
operations and humanitarian assistance.
We stress that the Security Council should ascertain the views of
prospective troop contributing countries before and while drafting mandates for UN Peace
keeping operations, since these countries are primarily responsible for ensuring the
implementation of the Council’s mandate on the ground. We also stress that, while
authorising force, the Security Council should adhere to the provisions of Articles 43 and
44 of the Charter of the United Nations. We call upon the Security Council to strengthen
cooperation with troop contributing countries and implement without delay proposals for
establishing a new mechanism for such cooperation as envisaged in the Report of the Panel
on UN Peace Operations and in proposals made by a number of troop contributing countries.
<<Back to Top>>
We emphasise that the planning within the Department of Peacekeeping
operations must be more transparent and effective and that troop-contributing countries
should be consulted at all stages of a mission. We reiterate our concern over the staffing
structure of the Department of Peace-keeping Operations of the UN Secretariat whereby NAM
Member Countries are insufficiently represented, particularly at professional levels. We
stress that, on the basis of equitable geographical representation, personnel from
Non-Aligned Movement Member Countries should be sufficiently represented.
We express our concern over the deteriorating financial situation of the
Organisation and reiterate that the primary cause of the financial crisis continues to be
the failure on the part of certain developed countries to discharge fully, without
conditions and on time, their assessed contribution to the Regular Budget and to
peace-keeping operations. We urge all countries in arrears to settle their outstanding
dues without further delay and to pay their future assessments in full, on time and
without imposing preconditions. We also express our concern at the continuing cross-
borrowing from the Peacekeeping Budget to the Regular Budget of the UN, and the delay in
reimbursement of troop and equipment contributing countries, and affirm the principle of
capacity to pay as a fundamental criterion in the apportionment of the expenses of the
Organisation.
We reiterate that the expenses of peacekeeping operations are expenses
of the United Nations to be borne by Member States with the relevant provisions of the
Charter, as well as the scale of assessments contained in General Assembly resolution
A/55/712 of 3 January 2001. These contributions must be paid in full, on time and without
conditions.
Recalling the proposals by the Secretary General for procurement reform
as outlines in A/52/534, we emphasise the critical importance of timely, efficient,
transparent and cost-effective procurement of goods and services in support of
peace-keeping operations. We express our grave concern at the negligible share of
Non-Aligned and other developing countries in UN procurement. In this regard, we reiterate
the need to ensure greater UN procurement from developing countries, especially
Non-Aligned Countries in particular through the implementation of the provision of
preferential treatment.
On the regular budget for the biennium 2002-2003, we believe that the
resources approved by the General Assembly should be commensurate with all mandated
programmes and activities in order to ensure their full and effective implementation. Core
functions of the United Nations, as a principle, should be financed through the regular
budget and apportioned among Member States. It is important to ensure that resources are
utilised strictly for the purposes approved by the General Assembly; programmes and
activities mandated by the General Assembly must be respected and implemented fully.
Insofar as peacekeeping budgets are concerned, while it is important to
finance the real needs of UN peacekeeping expeditiously and in full, we believe that
proper balance should be struck between the level and urgency with which peacekeeping
activities are funded on the one hand, and availability of adequate resources for full
implementation of programmes mandated by the General Assembly in the economic and social
spheres on the other. Cross-borrowing from the peacekeeping budgets to finance regular and
routine expenditures of the organisation should be avoided.
We underline 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, continues to be valid. We strongly condemn ongoing brutal
suppression of the legitimate aspirations to self-determination of peoples under colonial
or alien domination and foreign occupation in various regions of the world.
<<Back to Top>>
We reaffirm 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. We renew our commitment to hasten the complete
elimination of colonialism and support the effective implementation of the Plan of Action
of the Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. In this regard, we welcome General
Assembly Resolution 55/146 which declares a Second Decade for the Eradication of
Colonialism from 2001 to 2010. 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.
In the above context, 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.
We reaffirm once again the right of the people of Puerto Rico to
self-determination and independence on the basis of resolution 1514 (XV) of the United
Nations General Assembly. We take note of the resolution on Puerto Rico adopted by the
Special Committee on Decolonisation on June 21, 2001, which, inter alia, urged the US
Government to order the immediate halt of its armed forces military drills and manoeuvres
on Vieques Island and to return the occupied land to the people of Puerto Rico.
We reiterate our strong support for the
Committee of 24, which is an important subsidiary body of the General Assembly and we once
again call upon the Administering powers to grant their full support to the activities of
the Committee.
We reaffirm and reiterate the long-standing
principled positions of the Movement on disarmament and international security, including
the decisions taken at the XII Summit in Durban and the XIII Ministerial Conference in
Cartagena.
We remain deeply concerned at strategic
defense doctrines that set out rationales for the use of nuclear weapons. We are deeply
concerned over the "Alliance Strategic Concept" adopted by NATO in April 1999,
which not only maintain unjustifiable concepts on international security based on
promoting and developing military alliances and policies of nuclear deterrence, but also
includes new elements aimed to open even more the scope for possible use or threat of use
of force by NATO.
We continue to be concerned over the
negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile defense
systems and the pursuit of advanced military technologies capable of deployment in outer
space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international
climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international
security. Unilateral abrogation of the ABM Treaty could hold grave consequences for the
future of international security. In this connection, we call upon the States parties to
the ABM Treaty to fully comply with its provisions as a means to prevent a new global
nuclear arms race.
We note that a Panel of Governmental Experts
was established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 55/33 A to consider the issue of
missiles in all its aspects. In this regard, we remain convinced of the need for a
multilaterally-negotiated, universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory approach
towards missiles in all its aspects as a contribution to international peace and security.
We reiterate our long-standing principled
position for the total elimination of all nuclear testing. We stress the significance of
achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),
including by all the Nuclear Weapons States which, inter alia, should contribute to the
process of nuclear disarmament. We express our satisfaction that 162 States have signed
the Treaty and 88 States have ratified it thus far. We reiterate that if the objectives of
the Treaty were to be fully realised, the continued commitment of all States signatories,
especially the Nuclear Weapon States, nuclear disarmament would be essential.
<<Back to Top>>
We reaffirm the importance of the Conference
on Disarmament as the sole multilateral negotiating body on disarmament. In this context,
we regret that the continued inflexible postures of some of the Nuclear Weapon States
continue to prevent the Conference on Disarmament from establishing in 2000 an Ad Hoc
Committee on nuclear disarmament to start negotiations on a phased programme for the
complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified framework of time, including a
Nuclear Weapons Convention. In this regard, we reiterate our call on the Conference on
Disarmament to establish as soon as possible and as the highest priority, an Ad Hoc
Committee on Nuclear Disarmament. We underline once again the unanimous conclusion of the
International Court of Justice that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and
to bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects
under strict and effective international control. In this regard, we regret that no
progress has been made in the fulfilment of this obligation despite the lapse of five
years.
We reiterate our conviction that pending the
total elimination of nuclear weapons efforts for the conclusion of a universal,
unconditional and legally binding instrument on security assurances to Non-Nuclear-Weapon
States should be pursued as a matter of priority by the members of the Non-Aligned
Movement.
We consider the establishment of
nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) created by the treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga,
Bangkok and Pelindaba as a positive step towards attaining the objective of global nuclear
disarmament. The Movement welcomes the efforts aimed at establishing new nuclear
weapons-free zones in all regions of the world and calls for cooperation and broad
consultation in order to achieve agreements freely arrived at between the states of the
region concerned. We reiterate that in the context of nuclear-weapon free zones, it is
essential that Nuclear Weapon States should provide unconditional assurances against the
use or threat of use of nuclear weapons to all States of the zone. We urge States to
conclude agreements with a view to establishing new nuclear-weapon-free zones in regions
where they do not exist, in accordance with the provisions of the Final Document of the
Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament (SSOD-1) and the principles
and guidelines adopted by the United Nations Disarmament Commission at its 1999
substantive session. In this context, we support Mongolia’s nuclear-weapon-free
status and consider that the institutionalisation of that status would be an important
measure towards strengthening the non-proliferation regime in that region.
We reiterate the support for the
establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction. To
this end, we reaffirm the need for the speedy establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
in the Middle East in accordance with Security Council resolutions 487 (1981) and 687
(1991) and the relevant General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus. We call upon
all parties concerned to take urgent and practical steps towards the establishment of such
a zone and, pending its establishment, we call on Israel, the only country in the region
that has not joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) nor
declared its intention to do so, to renounce possession of nuclear weapons, to accede to
the NPT without delay, to place promptly all its nuclear facilities under IAEA full-scope
safeguards and to conduct its nuclear related activities in conformity with the
non-proliferation regime.
We, the Ministers of the States Parties to
the NPT welcome the outcome of the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty. In
this regard we reiterate our call and the firm commitment by all States parties to the
Treaty and call for the full implementation of the unequivocal undertaking given by the
Nuclear Weapons States to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals. We expect that
this undertaking be demonstrated without delay through an accelerated process of
negotiations and through the full implementation of the thirteen practical steps to
advance systematically and progressively towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. We also call
for the accession of Israel to the Treaty in the realisation of the establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
<<Back to Top>>
We, the Ministers of the States Parties to
the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) recall the decision by the States
Parties calling on the Ad Hoc Group to intensify its work with a view to completing it as
soon as possible before the commencement of the Fifth Review Conference (which is to
commence its work on 19 November 2001) and submit its report, which shall be adopted by
consensus, to the States Parties, to be considered at a Special Conference. We also recall
the statements of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Durban and the Non-Aligned Movement
Ministers Meeting in Cartagena, which endorsed this decision. We note that at the
twenty-fourth session of the Ad Hoc Group, there was a clear expression of broad support
for the conclusion of the negotiations on the basis of the draft composite text of the
Protocol, which has been presented by the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Group, as soon as
possible before the commencement of the Fifth Review Conference. We regret that due to the
decision by a major negotiating partner to oppose the draft composite text of the Protocol
that had been presented by the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Group, the Group was not able to
continue the negotiations. We also regret that the Group could not even adopt a final
report of its work. We emphasize the validity of the mandate that was given to the Ad Hoc
Group and underline that the only sustainable method of strengthening the Convention is
through multilateral negotiations aimed at concluding a non-discriminatory legally-binding
agreement.
We remain deeply concerned over the illicit
transfer, manufacture and circulation of small arms and light weapons and their excessive
accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world. We welcome the adoption
by consensus of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade
in Small Arms and light Weapons in All Its Aspects at the United Nations Conference which
sets out a realistic, achievable and comprehensive approach, to address the problems
associated with illicit trade in small arms and light weapons on the national, regional
and global levels. To this end we commend the role of Ambassador Camilo Reyes from
Colombia as president of the Conference and Ambassador Carlos Dos Santos from Mozambique
as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee. We note with satisfaction the positive,
constructive and mutually supportive role played by delegations from the Movement during
the Conference. We consider this to be a manifestation of the effectiveness of the
Movement in multilateral fora. We are deeply concerned over inability of the Conference to
agree— due to the position of one state — on language recognising the need to
establish and maintain controls over private ownership of small arms, and the need for
preventing sales of such arms to non-state groups. We consider that these issues are
directly related to the problems associated with the illicit trade in small arms and light
weapons faced by many members of the Movement. We therefore call on all States to ensure
that the supply of small arms and light weapons is limited only to Governments or to
entities duly authorised by Governments and to implement legal restrictions on the
unrestricted trade in and ownership of small arms and light weapons.
We deplore the use, in contravention of
international humanitarian law, of anti-personnel mines in conflict situations aimed at
maiming, killing and terrorising innocent civilians, denying them access to farmland,
causing famine and forcing them to flee their homes eventually leading to depopulation and
preventing the return of civilians to their place of original residence. We call upon the
international community to provide the necessary assistance to landmine clearance
operations as well as the rehabilitation of victims and their social and economic
reintegration in the landmine affected countries. We further call for international
assistance to ensure full access of affected countries to material equipment, technology
and financial resources for mine clearance. We also call for increased humanitarian
assistance for victims of landmine.
We encourage States to become parties to the
Convention on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which
May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) and its
Protocols, in particular in light of the Review Conference in 2001. We take note of the
Second Annual Conference of States Parties to the Amended Protocol II to the CCW, realised
in Geneva in December 2000 and stress the importance of its effective implementation. We
also take note of the realisation of the Third Meeting of States parties to the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction which took place in Managua in September 2001.
<<Back to Top>>
We call for an international conference, at
the earliest possible date, with the objective of arriving at an agreement on a phased
programmed for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified framework of
time to eliminate all nuclear weapons, to prohibit their development, production,
acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer, use of threat of use, and to provide for
their destruction. In this context, we welcome the United Nations Millennium Declaration
in which heads of State and Government resolved to strive for the elimination of weapons
of mass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons, and to keep all options open for
achieving this aim, including the possibility of convening an international conference to
identify ways and means of eliminating nuclear dangers.
We reiterate once again our support for the
convening of the Fourth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly devoted to
Disarmament. We reiterate our deep concern over the lack of consensus on the deliberations
held by the United Nations Disarmament Commission in 1999 on the agenda and objectives. We
recall that the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of
Member States on the objectives, agenda and timing of the Special Session. We continue to
call for further steps leading to the Convening of the Fourth Special Session with the
participation of all Member States of the United Nations as well as the need for SSOD-IV
to review and assess the implementation of SSOD-1, while reaffirming its principles and
priorities.
We commend the work carried out by the NAM
Working Group on Disarmament and entrust it with the task of favourably considering the
presentation during the 56th Session of the General Assembly of draft
resolutions on issues of common concern to the Movement.
We reiterate our firm condemnations of all
unilateral military actions including those made without proper authorisation from the
United Nations Security Council or threats of military and other actions against the
sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the members of the Movement which
constitutes acts of aggression and blatant violations of the principle of non-intervention
and non-interference. In this context we strongly condemn the policies and practices of
those who targeted some Non-Aligned Movement members countries for unilateral actions.
We welcome with satisfaction the adoption by
the General Assembly of the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism
(UNGA resolution 49/60), the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the
International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and urge that
they be implemented. We reiterate our condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of
terrorism, as they have adverse consequences, inter alia, on the economic and social
development of States. In this regard, we strongly and unequivocally condemn the terrorist
acts of 11 September 2001 in the United States. We declare that terrorism also affects the
stability of nations and the very basis of societies, especially pluralistic societies. We
reiterate the need for the urgent conclusion and the effective implementation of a
comprehensive convention for combating international terrorism. In the light of the
previous initiatives adopted by NAM, we call for an International Summit Conference under
the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a joint organised response of the
international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We welcome with
satisfaction the progress made in the Ad hoc Committee on Terrorism established by
resolution 51/210 on the negotiations for elaboration of a comprehensive convention on
international terrorism and call upon all states to cooperate in resolving the outstanding
issues so that the convention may be adopted during the forthcoming meeting of the Working
Group.
We reaffirm 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.
We reaffirm the Movement’s principled
position under the international law on the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples under
colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for national liberation and
self-determination, which does not constitute terrorism and we once again 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.
We urge all States to cooperate to enhance
international cooperation in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations and, wherever by whoever against whomsoever 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 and Criminal Justice held in Cairo in 1995.
<<Back to Top>>
We emphasise that international cooperation
to combat terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the principles of the United
Nations Charter, international law and relevant international conventions, and express our
opposition to selective and unilateral actions in violation of principles and purposes of
the United Nations Charter. In this context, we call upon the competent United Nations
Organs to promote ways and means to strengthen cooperation, including the international
legal regime for combating international terrorism.
Recalling the position of the NAM upheld at
the Durban Summit with regard to Dialogue among Civilisations, we celebrate the year 2001
as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilisations and welcome the active
participation by Member and Observer States of the NAM in the plenary meetings at the 56th
Session of the General Assembly devoted to the consideration of this item.
We reiterate that the objectives of
sanctions 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 be 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.
We reaffirm and reiterate the decisions and
positions of XII Summit and XIII Ministerial Conference with respect to the Analysis of
the International Situation.
We express our grave concern over the tragic
and deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem and
its dangerous impact on the situation in the Middle East as a whole. We reaffirm the need
to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. We affirm our
determination to actively strive towards the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace
in the Middle East on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and
the principle of land for peace. In this context we stress the need for the Israeli
withdrawal from the Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the Syrian occupied
Golan to the line of 4 June 1967. We reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to
establish their independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Furthermore, we reaffirm that a just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved by
upholding international legitimacy and relevant United Nations resolutions. In this regard
we consider the attempts by the Israeli government to undermine the terms of reference of
the Middle East peace process which started in Madrid as a serious obstacle to the
realisation of peace. We call for an end to continuing Israeli violations of Lebanese
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the release of all Lebanese detained in
Israeli prisons and express our support for the current mandate of United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and for the demining assistance in the South of Lebanon. The
Ministers also adopted a separate declaration on Palestine.
We welcome the establishment of the African
Union and the adoption by the 37th Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the
Organisation of African Unity of the New Africa Initiative for the eradication of poverty
through sustainable development on that continent. We call on the international community
and the United Nations in particular to support this initiative and to assist in its
implementation.
<<Back to Top>>
We are deeply concerned that developing
countries continue to face problems of access to markets, capital and technology and that
many grapple with the structural transformation necessary for practical and meaningful
integration into the world economy. Since the ability to exploit new opportunities depends
on the economic, technological trade, industrial and institutional capacities to enter the
global markets, globalisation deepens the technological, financial and productive gap,
including the digital divide, between the developed and developing countries. Hence, we
strongly believe that the central focus of international development efforts should be in
the creation of an enabling international environment where developing countries will be
able to acquire the requisite capacities to successfully compete and fully benefit from
globalisation. We support the UNGA resolution on globalisation that reaffirms the central
role of the UN in the promotion of international co-operation for development in the
context of globalisation and interdependence. The global economy, characterised by rapid
growth in flows of trade, finance, information and technology, in the 1990s led to
increased interdependence among countries. The slowing down of the global economy has
adversely impacted on the prospects for sustained economic growth and sustainable
development in developing countries. It is evident that a large number of member countries
of the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly in Africa, continue to be marginalised and thus
are unable to fully share the benefits of these processes, while they remain most
vulnerable to adverse impacts.
We reiterate that the participation of
developing countries in global economic decision-making, in particular in the
international financial institutions, as well as in trade and other economic areas, should
thus be enhanced. We reaffirm the need for such democratisation and transparency in
international economic and financial decision-making in all fora and at all levels with
the full participation of developing countries so as to ensure that their development
interest would be fully taken into account.
We reaffirm the need to establish an open,
rule-based, accountable, predictable, just, equitable, development oriented and
non-discriminatory global trade system. We emphasise that the process of multilateral
trade liberalisation and any multilateral negotiations, particularly in agriculture, must
take fully into account the concerns and special needs of developing countries, which are
predominantly agrarian economies.
We underscore the need for developed
countries to fully and immediately implement the provisions for special and differential
treatment for the products and services exported by developing countries, and for the
strengthening of the system of trade preferences.
We emphasise that the imbalance and
asymmetries that have been apparent in the course of implementation of the WTO Agreements
be urgently addressed. These include the lack of full and faithful implementation of
existing obligations by developed countries in the area of textiles and agriculture, lack
of market access for products of special interest to developing countries, non-realisation
of the provisions for special and differential treatment, and the curtailment of
developing countries' ability to pursue policy instruments that promote development. In
this regard we reiterate the need for developed countries to grant Least Developing
Countries duty-free market access and welcome the European Union’s
"Everything-but-Arms" initiative and the commitment undertaken by the third
United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries to expedite the work towards
duty-free and quota-free access for all products originating from LDCs in markets of
developed countries.
We also emphasise the need to facilitate the
accession of Least Developed Countries into the WTO with a more streamlined process of
accession.
We condemn the continued application by
certain countries of extra-territorial measures and legislation, and their imposition of
unilateral coercive economic measures against certain developing countries, with the view
to preventing these countries from the exercise of their right to determine, with their
total free will, their own political, economic and social system. We call on all States
not to recognise the unilateral extra-territorial laws enacted by certain countries which
impose sanctions on companies and individuals belonging to other countries, since these
measures and legislation threaten the sovereignty of states, adversely affect their social
and economic development, and are contrary to international law, the principles and
purposes of UN Charter, the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among
states, and agreed principles of multilateral trading system.
We welcome the progress made following the
adoption of UNGA resolution 54/196 calling for the convening of a high level
intergovernmental event on financing for development. We thank the government of Mexico
for offering to host the International Conference on Financing for Development in
Monterrey, from 18 – 22 March 2002. We strongly believe that this Conference will
provide an opportunity to the international community to strengthen international
cooperation for development by addressing international and systemic issues regarding
financing for development in a holistic manner in the context of globalisation and
interdependence as well as by finding ways and means for the mobilisation of financial
resources for the achievement of internationally agreed development targets in the outcome
of major UN Conferences and the Millennium Declaration.
<<Back to Top>>
In this regard, we encourage Governments as
well as all relevant stakeholders, including the World Bank, IMF, WTO, UNCTAD, UNDP, the
regional development banks and other relevant bodies as well as the private sector, to
continue considering concrete initiatives in support of the financing for development
process, so as to ensure that the Conference has a substantive outcome commensurate with
the requirements of the long-term development of the South.
We continue to call for the reform of the
Bretton Woods Institutions. In this regard we reiterate the need for a stable, adequately
financed international financial system that allows developing economies to respond
adequately to the challenges of development. It is therefore imperative to improve the
capabilities of early warning, prevention, and response mechanisms of the international
financial system to deal with the financial crises in a timely manner. There is also a
need to address the excessive volatility in short-term capital flows and speculation in
currency as they contribute to the instability of the international financial systems.
We welcome the Enhanced Heavily Indebted
Poor Country (HIPC) debt initiative as a move in the right direction. We also welcome
steps taken by creditor countries to cancel bilateral debt, particularly of those under
the HIPC initiative, Least Developed Countries and African countries. While recognising
the advancements made on measures towards the relief of external debt of developing
countries, we underline the need to strengthen and expand these measures. We also urge the
IMF to explore new sources or mechanisms for funding debt relief measures. We emphasise
that developed countries must provide the necessary financial contributions for debt
relief, including the necessary resources to finance the Enhanced Structural Adjustment
Facility.
We also note with concern that a growing
number of highly indebted Least Developed Countries, low- and middle-income developing
countries are facing difficulties in meeting their external debt servicing obligations. In
this regard, we stress that effective management of the debt of these developing countries
is an important factor among others in their sustained economic growth and in the smooth
functioning of the world economy.
We also emphasise the need for a durable
solution of the indebtedness of developing countries including middle-income countries,
which is seriously crippling their standard economic growth and sustainable development.
While a number of measures and policies in the past including rescheduling has been
helpful in alleviating the immediate situation, they have not achieved a durable solution.
We particularly recognise the economic and social costs being incurred by the
middle-income developing countries because of their external debt servicing obligations.
Thus, in any such discussion on debt of developing countries including middle-income
countries, the "one and for all" debt reduction policy arrangements should be
seriously considered so as to speed up the release of financial resources for development
particularly for the countries, which are honouring their debt repayment commitments in
the face of acute economic difficulties. The solutions would also require new initiatives
to facilitate their development. We urge the intensification of measures on the write-off
of debt to promote development investments in accordance with the priorities and needs of
developing countries. We also recognise the tremendous difficulties and problems faced by
low income countries which have serviced their debt obligations at high costs to
themselves and urge the international community to take the situation of low income
countries into account in any comprehensive package of measures to resolve the external
debt problems of developing countries.
We support the recommendation by the Fifth
Meeting of Governmental Experts from Landlocked Developing Countries, Transit Developing
Countries and Representatives of Donor Countries, International Financial and Development
Institutions to convene in 2003 an International Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked
Developing and Transit Developing Countries and Representatives of Donor Countries and
International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation in
order to give emphasis to the development of efficient transit transport system.
<<Back to Top>>
We express our deep concern over the
continuing decline in the levels of Official Development Assistance (ODA). We reaffirm the
view that ODA continues to constitute an important source of financial flow for many
developing countries. We urge the developed countries to ensure the fulfilment of their
commitment to meet the internationally agreed target of 0.7% of their GNP as ODA for all
the developing countries at the latest by the end of the first decade of the twenty first
century, as well as to meet the internationally agreed target of 0.15% -0.20% of their GNP
to LDCs as soon as possible. We also emphasise the need for increased flows of Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) into all developing countries.
We express our deep concern at the disparity
in science and technology capacities between rich and poor nations continues to permeate
the world economy, posing a serious impediment to the development of developing countries.
In this context, we highlight that the uneven distribution of new information and
communication technology capacities is further exacerbating the divide between rich and
poor nations. In this regard, we urge developed countries to facilitate the transfer of
technologies to developing countries without conditionalities on preferential,
non-commercial and concessional terms. Cognisant of the enormous potential of science and
technology to accelerate economic and social development, we call for a strengthening of
the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development to enable it to be more
effective in supporting and assisting the developing countries in their national efforts
to enhance research and development, particularly in the fields of health, education and
agriculture. We also welcome and support international efforts such as the G8’s
Digital Opportunities Task Force (‘dot force’) and the UN’s newly
constituted ICT task forces aimed at addressing the digital divide. In this regard we
further look forward to a successful outcome of the Africa Telecom 2001 Exhibition and
Forum, to be held in November 2001.
We reaffirm our commitment to pursue the
goals of sustainable development in an integrated manner as envisaged in Agenda 21,
negotiated at the Rio Conference in 1992 especially to the principle of common but
differentiated responsibility. We are deeply disappointed with the lack of progress made
in the implementation of Agenda 21. There is need for the identification of difficulties
and constraints encountered in the implementation of Agenda 21 and exploration of the
practical ways of implementing it. We recognise the ongoing efforts of developing
countries for the realisation of the goals of sustainable development. We reiterate our
call to developed countries to fulfil their international commitments undertaken at the
Rio Earth Summit. We further call for the urgent fulfilment of commitments for the
provision of financial resources; technical assistance and transfer of environmentally
sound technology, including time bound commitments to developing countries.
We note that the year of 2001 marks the 15th
anniversary of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was a major
technological catastrophe in terms of its scope and created long-term humanitarian,
environmental, social, economic and health consequences and problems of common concern,
requiring for their solution wide and active international cooperation and co-ordination
of efforts. We call upon the international community and the United Nations to continue to
provide support to the countries most affected by Chernobyl in overcoming the consequences
of the disaster in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General
Assembly.
We welcome the outcome of the second session
of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (CoP 6) at the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCC) held in Bonn from 16 to 27 July 2001. In particular, we welcome
the Bonn Agreement reached at this meeting and call on parties to finalise all outstanding
elements and decisions pertaining to the Buenos Aires Plan of Action by CoP 7 to be held
in Marrakech from 29 October to 9 November 2001, so as to make every effort to ensure that
the Kyoto Protocol enters into force by the time the World Summit on Sustainable
Development convenes in Johannesburg in September 2002.
We stress that the eradication of poverty
through sustained and accelerated economic growth continues to remain the overriding
priority for developing countries. In this context, we underline the need for a supportive
international economic and financial environment to address long-term problems of poverty
and under-development and reaffirm the need to facilitate the efforts for the eradication
of poverty and the improvement of the well being of our people. In this regard we stress
the importance of focusing on ways of implementing the commitments of the Millennium
Declaration and of finding long-term solutions to the development needs of developing
countries.
<<Back to Top>>
We reaffirm the outcome of the South Summit,
held in Havana 10 to 14 April, 2000, in particular the decisions adopted on strengthening
of coordination and cooperation between the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77
through the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) in the promotion and defence of the common
interest of the developing countries. We note the growing importance of ECDC/TCDC for the
enhancement of people centred development as well as capitalising of local resources
trough interaction among development actors and partnership. In this context while
recognising that developing countries have the primary responsibility for expanding
ECDC/TCDC, the development partners, particularly donor countries, can play a significant
role in supporting such endeavours, including through triangular co-operation and
strengthening South institutions.
We stress the importance of South-South
Cooperation especially through economic and technical cooperation among developing
countries (ECDC/TCDC), to develop and strengthen interdependence among developing
countries in various areas, especially in the social sector to address problems related to
poverty, education, health and population, women and children. We support the ongoing
implementation follow-up of the Havana outcome including through the recently held IFCC X
which took place from 18 – 23 August 2001, in Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
We welcome the activities of the NAM Centre
for South-South Technical Cooperation, which complements the ongoing efforts of developing
countries to further promote international economic cooperation. Given the increasing
demand for cooperation activities, we emphasise the need to build stronger South
institutions to reach NAM’s vision of increasing south-south cooperation based on
humanity and partnership. In this regard, it is imperative for the NAM Centre to carry out
its mandate effectively. Thus, we agree that the Centre should be governed by a Governing
Council comprising the Foreign Ministers of the NAM Troika, the Foreign Ministers of
Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia and the Representative of the Chairman of the Group of 77.
We express our commitment to the accelerated
implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Program of Action as well as our full
support to the outcome of its five-year review and appraisal as contained in "Further
Initiatives" for Social Development adopted by the 24th Special Session of
the UN General Assembly. We request the international community to fulfil its commitment
and fully cooperate in the implementation of the goals of the Copenhagen Declaration and
Program of Action as well as the Special Session.
We reaffirm the importance of health as
indispensable for sustainable development, and in this regard, we are deeply concerned
that HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases continue to threaten
the achievement of economic and developmental goals of developing countries. We welcome
the outcome of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session of HIV/AIDS held in 25
to 27 June 2001. In this regard we welcome the efforts by the UN Secretary- General to put
the issue of HIV/AIDS on the international agenda by launching a Global AIDS and Health
Fund. We recognise the pledge by the G8 to this fund as being an important step in
fighting the scourge of communicable diseases and to obtain safe and affordable essential
medicines.
We note that the primary determinants of ill
health such as poverty, the lack of education and environmental degradation are also
amongst the critical causes for underdevelopment, the Ministers of Health and Heads of
Delegations underscored the central role that health plays in development, by being both a
necessary precondition to and an outcome of the overall development process. In this
regard we welcome the outcome of the 25th Meeting of the Health Ministers of the
Non-Aligned Movement held in Johannesburg from 26 to 27 March 2001.
We reaffirm that all human rights are
universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that the international
community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing
and with the same emphasis, and that the significance of national and regional
particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be
respected. It is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural
systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all peoples,
in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the Declaration of the Right to
Development and other international human rights instruments. Furthermore, we agree to
work towards the transformation and the continuing adaptation of human rights machinery to
current and future needs in the promotion and protection of human rights.
<<Back to Top>>
We express our commitment to the accelerated
implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, adopted by the World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held
in Durban, South Africa, in September 2001. In this regard, we reiterate our opposition to
all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and express
deep concern on the resurgence of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance in various parts of the world. All forms of racism and
xenophobia constitute a serious violation of human rights, which should be rejected
through all political and legal means. We condemn all forms of racism, and discrimination
spread through the new communications technology, including the Internet.
We are also concerned over the intolerable
persistence of adverse social and economic conditions faced by children on account of
poverty, use of children in armed conflict, including child mercenaries, child labour,
particularly the worst forms of child labour, the continued exploitation and trafficking
of children for pornography, prostitution and drug trafficking, the increasing number of
children affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as the suffering of refugee and displaced children.
Urgent steps, including through international co-operation, must be undertaken to address
these problems. In this regard note the adoption by the General Assembly of the Optional
Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in
Armed Conflict and on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
We commit ourselves to the implementation of
the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and the Plan
for Action for Implementing the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and
Development of Children in the 1990s adopted by World Summit for Children 1990. We
reiterate our commitment to continue participating fully in the preparatory process for
the 27th Special Session of the UN General Assembly with a view to improving
the lives of children in our countries.
We reaffirm the Declaration and Programme of
Action on a Culture of Peace recognising that they serve, inter alia, as the basis for the
observance of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the
Children of the World (2001 – 2010). Convinced of the benefit of successful
observance of the International Decade for future generations, we invite states to expand
their activities promoting a Culture of Peace and Non-violence at the national, regional
and international levels.
We recommit ourselves to the implementation
of the Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women
as well as fully support the outcome of the five-year review and appraisal as contained in
"Further Actions and Initiatives" to implement the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action adopted by the 23rd Special Session of the UN General
Assembly. We pledge ourselves to combating all forms of discrimination against women, and
to supporting measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and
girls. We call upon countries to take effective actions to prevent increasing
victimisation of and violence against women and the girl child, especially in the
situation of armed conflict.
We welcome with appreciation the invitation
by the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the
Co-ordinating Bureau in South Africa in 2002 on a date and time to be determined. We trust
that this meeting will be constructive in preparing the Movement for the XIII Summit
Conference of the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement. We warmly
welcome the offer of the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to host the XIII
Summit 2002.
   
|
|
