Ensure Effective Role Of NAM

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is the biggest group of nations after the United Nations (UN). The movement was founded in 1961 in Belgrade based on the principles adopted at the Bangdung conference held in 1955. The movement was established at a time when the Cold War was raging between the two powerful blocs in the world: the ex-Soviet bloc whose best known alliance was the Warsaw Pact and the pro-American bloc with many members belonging to NATO. The Cold War was a conflict of ideology and military strength that began after the end of World War II in 1945. The Western Bloc was a capitalist bloc under the leadership of the US and included most of western Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan. On the other hand, the Eastern Bloc was a communist bloc led by the Soviet Union. The two blocs were contending over which economic system – capitalist or communist – should prevail in the world. 

NAM emerged after the Korean War, which lasted for three years from 1950 to 1953, to counterbalance the growing bipolarisation during the Cold War. During the Cold War, the two blocs were trying to include the rest of the world in their folds. The movement aimed at counteracting the West’s unilateral approaches and actions on the world stage.

Basic thrust

The basic thrust of NAM was to fight imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism, racism, aggression, occupation, domination, outside interference, hegemony, action by great powers and bloc politics. The principles of the movement include respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, rejection of unconstitutional change of government or external attempts to change government, freedom to determine political, social, economic and cultural systems; rejection of aggression or direct or indirect use of force, and opposition to use of unilateral political, economic or military measures. Its primary objectives were neutrality, national independence, preservation of sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.  

Over the first three decades, NAM achieved breakthroughs in its objectives. It played a pivotal role in decolonisation, creation of independent countries and democratisation of international relations. Its other major successes included disarmament, opposition to racism and opposition to the apartheid system in South Africa. The South African apartheid system that segregated blacks from whites in every sector was finally dismantled in the early 1990s. And a democratic government was formed in 1994. Likewise, many colonised countries, especially in Asia and Africa, became independent. It may, however, be mentioned that the waves of decolonisation had emerged before the establishment of the movement.   

Emerging with just 25 members, NAM has now 120 members, two-thirds of the UN members. (the UN has 193 members.) It also includes 19 countries with observer status and 10 organisations. The members of the movement represent 55 per cent of the world population. The movement has no formal constitution, nor does it have a permanent secretariat. All the members have equal rights. Decisions are taken by consensus at summit conferences of heads of state or government. Such summit conferences are usually held every three years.  

The Cold War ended in 1991 with the Balkanisation of the Soviet Union, which resulted in the creation of a unipolar world with the US assuming the reins of a single superpower. Even after the Cold War ended, NAM did not cease to exist. As usual, the activities of the movement proceeded with the holding of summit conferences in Indonesia in 1992, Columbia in 1995 and South Africa in 1997. However, the focus of the movement has shifted to fostering multilateral ties and building and consolidating unity among the developing and least developed countries, especially those in the Global South. In a conflict-ridden world, mutual respect, cooperation, solidarity and esprit de corps are acutely needed. 

NAM is in favour of reforms in the UN. It believes that the structure of the UN Security Council is such that it is being used by powerful countries, including the five permanent members with veto powers, in ways that violate the sacrosanct principles adopted by it. The movement has made several recommendations aimed at bolstering the representation of the developing and least developed countries in the UN. It has also sought transparency of the decision-making process at the UN as well as the use of democratic methods for taking decisions. There are instances in which major decisions cannot be taken owing to the veto power of one of the veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council.  NAM has advocated the comity of nations, international cooperation, multilateralism and national self-determination. It has raised its voice against the inequities of the world economic order. The gaps between the haves and the have-nots are growing unabated. The movement is trying to bridge such gaps as far as possible. 

World order

We are now in the 21st century. The world order has changed from what was prevailing during the Cold War. NAM lived through the Cold War era despite several conflicts between its members and despite some of its members siding with the Soviet Union, the US or China. A major condition of the movement is that its members should not join any major power blocs such as NATO. Such things may happen in any regional or world group. The movement should show finesse in dealing with such matters so as to maintain cohesion among its members. 

Non-alignment does not mean remaining passive or neutral in the international field. NAM should be revitalised keeping abreast with the changing times so as to meet the 21st century needs of the Third World. It should be able to give a voice to the developing and least developed countries. It should closely monitor world affairs and take action accordingly for the benefit of its members. In a world where powerful countries are on the go for their self-interests, the relevance of the movement has grown more than ever before. Its relevance cannot be negated as long as the sovereign state system exists in the world. 

(Maharjan has been regularly writing on contemporary issues for this daily since 2000.)