The Non-Aligned Movement was among others founded by Indonesia, which was the host of the Asian-African Conference in 1955 which resulted in the Ten Principles of Bandung or the Bandung Declaration as the basic principle and forerunner to the formation of this international organization in 1961.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia encourages the Non-Aligned Movement to strengthen unity and work together to develop the interest of developing countries, the Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tri Tharyat, has said.

Tri Tharyat made the remark as Indonesia's national statement at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on July 5-6, 2023.

As one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia is ready to play an active role in encouraging the collaboration of developing countries to create a more just global order, he said.

On the occasion, Indonesia also emphasized the importance of strengthening the spirit of the Ten Principles of Bandung (the Bandung Declaration) as the basis and guidelines for the NAM, especially in the midst of today's global geopolitical rivalry, he added.

"As a movement that was born from the struggle against colonialism, the NAM must continue to be consistent in promoting peace, justice, equality and collaboration," Tri said.

In its capacity as a member of the NAM Committee for Palestine, Indonesia emphasized the importance of the momentum of the 75th anniversary of the Nakba and concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Palestine, he said.

"The NAM must unite and make various efforts to help achieve Palestinian independence," he stated.

Indonesia in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has also submitted a joint ASEAN statement, which encourages the NAM to continue to put forward the Ten Principles of Bandung (Bandung Declaration), as well as international dialogue and cooperation to face various global challenges.

A number of issues raised by the NAM countries at the meeting included those on development, human rights, climate change, post-COVID-19 recovery, as well as various developments of the political process and peace in the region and the world, besides concerns over the spread of Islamophobia.

The meeting succeeded in ratifying the Final Document, the Standard Ministerial Declaration and several other documents. The meeting also provided positive recommendations for South Sudan's application to join the NAM as a new member.

The meeting in Baku was attended by the NAM’s member countries, observers, and relevant international organizations.

Azerbaijan will hand over the chairmanship of the NAM to Uganda at the NAM Summit in Kampala, Uganda, at the end of January 2024.

Indonesia is one of the founding countries of the Non-Aligned Movement and was the host of the Asian-African Conference in 1955 which resulted in the Ten Principles of Bandung (the Bandung Declaration) as the basic principles and forerunners of the formation of the NAM in 1961. Bandung is the capital city of Indonesia’s West Java province.

Reporting by Indonesia Window