What is NAM?
What is NAM?
Introduction
The “NAM is a group of 120 countries” that does not have an “official alliance with or opposition to any major power bloc.” It was established with the aim of promoting the “interests of developing countries in the context of the Cold War.”
After the United Nations, it is the largest group of countries in the world. Movement was initiated by several countries to “counterbalance” the rapid rise of “global polarisation during the Cold War,” with many seeking to distance themselves from each other through policy initiatives and disinvesting their resources. A group of pro-American capitalist countries, many of which were part of “NATO, and the pro-1970 socialist bloc,” with its most famous alliance being the Warsaw Pact, were two groups. “In 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement was established in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, with the help of Yugolanian President Josip Broz Tito, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Ghanaian leaders.” “Kwame Nkrumah and Sukarno, the President of Indonesia.”
“This resulted in the first Conference of Heads of State or Government of non-aligned countries.”
“According to Fidel Castro's Havana Declaration of 1979, this organization' guiding principle was the preservation of national security and the protection of non-aligned nations against imperialism, colonialism.” Neo-colonisation and all forms of foreign invasion, occupation, domination, intervention or hegemony and against major powers and political blocs. Members of countries and account for 55% of the “world's population.” Despite the presence of developed countries in the Non-“Aligned Movement,” the majority of members are from developing countries.
Origin
Origins and Cold War Countries located in the “Northern Hemisphere: NATO in blue and Warsaw Pact in red.” During the Brioni meeting, “Josip Broz Tito, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Gamal Abdel Nasser were among the leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement.” The term was first used at the United Nations in 1950 by “India and Yugoslavia, who refused to align with any side in the multilateral alliance involved in World War II.” On the basis of the principles agreed upon at the 1955 “Bandung Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement” was founded on or on the “Brijuni Islands of Yugoslavia in 1956 and formalised bysigning the Declaration Briduci on 19 July.” “The resulting declaration was signed by Yugoslav leadersJosip Broz Tito, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser are among the leaders. According to the Declaration, peace can be achieved by pursuing collective security on a global scale and expanding freedom, rather than through division.” The Non-Aligned Movement was created by “Jawaharlal Nehru and his supporters, as per Rejaul Karim Laskar,” an ideologue for the Congress Party that governed India during the Cold War. This statement is supported by him. Other leaders of the newly independent Third World countries to defend their countries. Their self-rule and sovereignty are at risk in a complex international scenario that requires loyalty to one of the two dominant global superpowers involved in warfare.
Post Cold War
It is significant to note that the “breakup of Yugoslavia” which was a pertinent member in 1991 and 1992 also impacted the movement. “The various successor states of Yugoslavia also expressed little interest in membership, which included Kosovo, Slovenia and North Macedonia.”
Several membership applications from Costa Rica and Bosnia and rejected in 1998 and 1995 respectively. Membership applications from Cyprus and Malta were accepted in 2004 and they joined the European Union.
The organisation of the American States unlike the United Nations the non-aligned movement has no permanent secretariat. Most of the members of this movement have equal weight within the group. The position of the movement is reached by consensus in the summit conference of heads of state or government which convenes within a span of 3 years. The organisation and its administration are the responsibility of the country to hold the chair, a position that helps in rotating the summit. The ministers of foreign affairs of these member countries meet more appropriately in order to highlight several common issues, notably at the opening of the regular sessions of the UN General Assembly.
Focus Area
It is significant to note that one primary focus area of NAM revolves around maintaining the independence and sovereignty of its member states helping to promote economic and social advancement, adjusting and to an equitable international order. Another major focus area includes the Human rights,change of climate and reform of international institutions that help in reflecting the advancing global landscape.
It is significant that the relevance of NAM continues to be a discussion of debate. There are several critics who are given that the movement usually remains fundamental in offering a stage for developing nations to voice their concerns and collaborate on several challenges and try to address them equitably. The future prospects of NAM usually hinge on its potential to adapt to the contemporary challenges and try to faster enhance unity among the member countries and efficiently address the emerging challenges comprehensively.
Conclusion
NAM stands as a testament to several aspirations of countries for chatting their own course in the turbulent domain of international relations. From its inception during the cold war to the current era its role is trying to address the challenges across the globe and it has also played a significant role in shaping the diplomatic discourse of international relations.
FAQ
What is the full form of NAM?
The full form of NAM is Non Alignment Movement.
How many countries are the members of NAM?
As of 2022, there are 120 member states in NAM, which is trying to represent a diverse group of nations ranging from Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
What are the objectives of NAM?
The major purpose of this movement is the maintenance of sovereignty and interdependence among the member countries, which helps in promoting economic and social advancement by advocating an equitable and just international order.