The 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held from 26 to 31 August 2012 in Tehran, Iran. The summit was attended by leaders of 120 countries,including 24 presidents, 3 kings, 8 prime ministers and 50 foreign ministers.The summit consisted of two preceding events: a "Senior Officials Meeting" on 26 and 27 August 2012, and a "Ministerial Meeting" on 28 and 29 August 2012. The leaders summit took place on 30 and 31 August. Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, officially handed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during the inaugural ceremony of Leaders' Meeting.Iran will hold the NAM presidency for three years until the 17th summit in Venezuela in 2015.As of August 2012, the organisation consists of 120 member states, including the non-UN member state of Palestine, and 21 other observer countries. The countries of the Non-Aligned Movement represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations' members and contain 55% of the world's population.
Final Document of 16th NAM Summit,Tehran
Tehran Declaration - 2012
The following declaration issued by the Tehran summit at its conclusion on 31 August sums up the summit's perspective and demands on some key international issues
WE, the Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, gathered at our XVI Conference held in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 30-31 August 2012, undertook a review of the international situation with a view to making an effective contribution to the solution of the major problems of concern to all NAM Member States and to entire Humankind, and,
Inspired by the vision, principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement, articulated in Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961), and guided by the Declaration of Purposes and Principles in our efforts to achieve a world of peace, equality, cooperation and well-being for all, drawing upon the Movement's experience in the past and its great potential today,
Reaffirming the lasting validity and the continuing relevance of the NAM vision, principles and objectives in the contemporary international situation,
Strengthened by our past achievements in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid and all forms of foreign intervention, interference, aggression, occupation, domination or hegemony, and staying away from power alliances and their confrontations, continue to be fundamental elements in the policy of non-alignment,
Renewing our commitment to the NAM principles and objectives and our pledge to strive to make a constructive contribution towards building a new pattern of international relations based on the principles of peaceful coexistence, cooperation among nations and the right to equality of all States,
Continuing to uphold the principles of sovereignty and the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity, self-determination and non-intervention in the internal affairs of any State; taking effective measures for the prevention and suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of peace, to defend, promote and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered; refraining in international relations from the threat or use of force against territorial integrity or political independence of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,
Declare that:
1. To build a fair, inclusive, transparent and effective system of joint global governance, based on justice and equitable participation of all countries and to address present challenges and risks stemming from global security threats, environmental hazards, climate change, migration, contagious diseases, extreme poverty, among others, the NAM Member States should coordinate their positions and join force in pressing on the interests of the developing world. To do so, a number of priorities are as follows:
a. Global governance is broad in scope and encompasses many issues of global interest and concerns than merely economic issues. The world faces challenges in security, social and environmental fields. International peace and security still continue to be high on the priority scale of many countries. The current international decision-making architecture in the fields of peace and security is outdated and much more resistant to any change.
b. The United Nations as the universal and inclusive multilateral body should play a fundamental role in the institutional and legal framework of global governance. Thus, the United Nations could and should have a major role in efforts undertaken to find common solutions to common problems, including a coordinating role among all international and regional agencies. Nonetheless, for the UN to remain at the forefront of any discussion on global governance, focus should further be on its strengthening and modernising. Towards this end, it is especially essential to revitalise the UN General Assembly, including in the area of international peace and security, and reform the UN Security Council to reflect the realities of today's world.
c. The growing importance of developing countries is yet to be sufficiently reflected in the governance structures of existing international key decision-making bodies. Key decisions concerning the issues of global governance can no longer be the preserve of a small group of countries. Policies are being made across a broadening range of issues, which affect all in world politics. Thus, it is imperative that developing countries could have a greater voice and participation in the major institutions, which coordinate policies at the international level.
d. Crises in the past several years have exposed the shortcomings and failures of international financial institutions, which adversely affect their ability to address crises and achieve adequate macroeconomic policy coordination. As they were established following World War II, they fail to address appropriately current world challenges and, therefore, adversely affect developing countries.
e. In the international community not every nation shares similar values and opinions. To live in peace and harmony the diversity within the global society should be acknowledged and respected. Thus, the attempts to impose values on other members of the international community should be thwarted.
2. Occupation of Palestine lies at the heart of the protracted crisis situation in the Middle East. Any solution to this crisis requires the termination of the occupation, crimes and violations committed by Israel, the occupying power, restoration of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent and viable State of Palestine with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. The restoration of the national rights of the Palestinian people is a basic prerequisite for the establishment of an equitable, comprehensive and lasting peace in the area.
3. Racism and racial discrimination are affronts to human dignity and equality, and the resurgence of contemporary and new forms of such abhorrent crimes in various parts of the world is a matter for grave concern. Thus, it is imperative to address with greater resolve and political will all forms and manifestation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance including new forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, wherever they occur.
4. All human rights are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and human rights issues must be addressed through a constructive, non-confrontational, non-politicised, non-selective and dialogue-based as well as cooperative approach, in a fair, equal and balanced manner, with objectivity, respect for cultural diversity and national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, taking into account the political, historical, social, religious and cultural particularities of each country. Special attention should be paid to the rights of the youth and women and the way be paved for building capacity in this respect and facilitating their participation in the politico-social and economic processes.
5. Nuclear weapons are the most inhumane weapons ever conceived. The maintenance of strategic and tactical nuclear stockpile and their continued modernisation, as well as new military doctrines setting the rationale for their possible use, particularly against non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS), represent the greatest threat to humankind. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) did not provide a right for nuclear weapon states to keep their nuclear arsenals indefinitely. States Parties to the NPT have obligations under Article VI of the NPT to destroy all nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework, which is yet to be fulfilled. It is imperative to conclude a comprehensive convention on nuclear disarmament.
6. All states should be able to enjoy the basic and inalienable right to the development, research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination and in conformity with their respective international legal obligations. Therefore, nothing should be interpreted in a way to inhibit or restrict the right of states to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. States' choices and decisions, in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and their fuel cycle policies, including those of the Islamic Republic of Iran, must be respected.
7. The inviolability of peaceful nuclear activities should be upheld and any attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities operational or under construction amounts to a serious danger to human beings and the environment, and constitutes a grave violation of international law, of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and of regulations of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency]. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive multilaterally negotiated legal instrument prohibiting attacks, or threat of attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
8. Non-Aligned countries agree to refrain from recognising, adopting or implementing extra-territorial or unilateral coercive measures or laws, including unilateral economic sanctions, other intimidating measures, and arbitrary travel restrictions, that seek to exert pressure on Non-Aligned Countries - threatening their sovereignty and independence, and their freedom of trade and investment - and prevent them from exercising their right to decide, by their own free will, their own political, economic and social systems, where such measures or laws constitute flagrant violations of the UN Charter, international law, the multilateral trading system as well as the norms and principles governing friendly relations among States; and in this regard, they agree to oppose and condemn these measures or laws and their continued application, persevere with efforts to effectively reverse them and urge other States to do likewise, as called for by the General Assembly and other UN organs; agree to request States applying these measures or laws to revoke them fully and immediately.
9. All acts of terrorism, in all their forms and manifestations, wherever and by whoever committed, are unequivocally condemned. All States should abide by their international obligations in addressing the threat of terrorism, which continues to adversely affect peace, security, stability and development of many NAM countries. All victims of terrorism, including the Iranian civilian researchers and scientists who have fallen victim to inhumane terrorist campaign, deserve the deepest sympathy.
10. Dialogue among religions, cultures and civilisations should be enhanced, through supporting efforts made at the international level, towards reducing confrontation, suppressing xenophobia and islamophobia, promoting respect for diversity based on justice, fraternity and equality should be promoted, and all attempts of uniculturalism or the imposition of particular models of political, economic, social, legal or cultural systems should be opposed, and promote dialogue among civilisations, culture of peace and inter-faith dialogue, which will contribute towards peace, security, stability and development.
11. The Non-Aligned Movement should mobilise all its capabilities in order to implement the decisions of its leaders, as expressed in its documents. Accordingly, NAM should consider the possibility of creating necessary mechanism with a view to following up on its decisions.
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