From R.Ravichandran
BAKU (AZERBAIJAN), Oct 25 (NNN-Bernama) — Azerbaijan, in a way, is making history by hosting the 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, which started today at the Baku Convention Centre, here.
Azerbaijan, which became a full-fledged member in May 2011, is now hosting the summit of the world’s second-largest organisation after the United Nations in a very short span of time after joining the movement.
As mentioned by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the country has managed to gain the full confidence of NAM member countries in just eight years to be entrusted with the chairmanship of the Movement for the next three years.
Azerbaijan’s acceptance into NAM and hosting of NAM 2019 reflects Baku’s high commitment to the principles of the historic Bandung Conference 1955.
The Bandung Conference was attended mostly by newly-independent Asian and African nations at that time, which later gave rise to the establishment of NAM in 1961.
The theme of the 18th Summit – ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world’ – is in line with the current geopolitical environment, where the Bandung Principles are very much relevant as the guiding principles of NAM.
Respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, refraining from carrying out or threatening to carry out aggression, and promotions of mutual interests and cooperation are among the points outlined in the Bandung Principles, which very much need to be defended, as these are paramount in strengthening international peace and security which NAM always fought for.
Azerbaijan’s assumption of the chairmanship of NAM is significant for NAM as well as the Bandung Principles. Its chairmanship coincides with the 65th anniversary of the Bandung Principles in 2020 and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of NAM in 2021.
Azerbaijan has now joined the list of hosting countries, namely Yugoslavia (1961), Egypt (1964), Zambia (1970), Algeria(1973), Sri Lanka (1976), Cuba (1979), India (1983), Zimbabwe (1986), Yugoslavia (1989), Indonesia (1992), Colombia (1995), South Africa (1998), Malaysia (2003), Cuba (2006), Egypt (2009), Iran (2012) and Venezuela (2016).
NAM now has 120 member countries, 17 observer countries and 10 observer organisations.
Azerbaijan’s successes so far in conducting its relations with other nations and international organisations are also due to a well-respected independent foreign policy pursued by the Azerbaijani government as well as the practice of multiculturalism as a state policy.
In recent years, Azerbaijan’s international profile and prestige have been on the rise under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. A strong foundation for an independent foreign policy was laid by its National Leader Heydar Aliyev after 1993.
Besides NAM, Azerbaijan also hosted many events of international level comprising economy, political, social, cultural, oil and gas, sports and transportation events.
Just last week on Oct 15, the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-Speaking States (Turkic Council) was held in Baku. And in about less than three weeks after the NAM Summit, Azerbaijan is hosting the Second Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders from Nov 14-15.
Additionally, Azerbaijan hosted the 43rd Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, from June 30-July 10.
And as an oil and gas exporting country, Azerbaijan hosted the SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference, from Oct 16-18.
In March 2018, the country hosted the Global Baku Forum.
Two years ago, in May 2017, Azerbaijan hosted the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, while in 2015, the First European Games was held in Baku – a city of many modern architectural landmarks.
After a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2012-2013, Azerbaijan was elected as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council for 2017-2019.
In 2016, Azerbaijan was the venue for the Seventh Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC).
Besides NAM and UN, Azerbaijan is also a member of important international organisations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Azerbaijan is also the co-founder of the Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM, an international regional organisation.
NAM, which had its first summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1961, was formed at the height of the Cold War as an independent path in international politics for those countries wishing to be free from the influence of superpowers – led by the Soviet Union and the United States at that time – and not becoming pawns in their ideological rivalry.
— NNN-BERNAMA