PH backs unity on NAM principles

AZERBAIJAN, 10 July 2023 – At the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting on 06-07 July 2023, the Philippines urged Member States to unite and address key challenges affecting the world and regional developments.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Carlos D. Sorreta emphasized NAM should not be divided by external powers and remain true to the Movement’s founding principles: self-determination, non-interference, sovereign equality and independence, and true non-alignment. 

Leading up to the meeting, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) proposed factual updates to four paragraphs in the NAM Ministerial Outcome Document on the South China Sea.  Despite ASEAN’s efforts, led by current Chair Indonesia, several NAM countries opposed updates to the paragraphs on the South China Sea since they claimed the matter “was contentious.”  

ASEAN registered  “deep disappointment” over negotiations that were “damaging to the Movement’s credibility.”  ASEAN and India expressed concern that a powerful non-member state was working behind the scenes to ensure the paragraphs would not be changed.

As the Philippines dissociated from the said paragraphs, Sorreta stressed “NAM has never shied away from dealing with difficult issues…and has always been a progressive platform for developing countries to chart their own sovereign course, unimpeded by the interests of external powers…it must remain so.

Sorreta also highlighted that despite potential conflicts, ASEAN worked to preserve peace and promote economic growth and “must be doing something right.”  

The Philippines urged the NAM to uphold the interests of developing countries on key issues such as climate change, access and responsible use of new technologies like AI, and overcoming inequality, underdevelopment, and racism. 

Undersecretary Sorreta stated that NAM must be at the forefront of promoting peace and security and peaceful settlement of disputes. He requested NAM’s support for the Philippines candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028.

The NAM is the largest political grouping in the United Nations (UN), consisting of 120 mainly developing countries.  For the last four years, Azerbaijan has served as its Chair.  The next NAM Chair is Uganda. END