Non-Aligned Movement

NATO vs. Warsaw Pact (1949-1990)

Stevan Kragujevic, Tito, Naser, Nehru, Dolazak na Brione

18th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement gets underway in Baku 026

Non-Aligned Movement (emblem - South Africa Conference)

Konferencija Pokreta nesvrstanih 1961. godine

Meeting of the heads of state at the 16th summit of the NAM (1)

Non-Aligned Movement

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250px Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (in green)
Abbreviation	NAM
Type	Intergovernmental organization
Membership	120 member states

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization of states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. As of 2023, the movement has 120 member states. The organization was established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, through an initiative led by Josip Broz Tito, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Sukarno, and Kwame Nkrumah.

History

The origins of the Non-Aligned Movement can be traced back to the Bandung Conference held in 1955 in Indonesia, where leaders from 29 countries gathered to discuss peace and the role of the developing world in the Cold War. The movement was formally founded in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, at the first Non-Aligned Movement Summit.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics."

Membership

The Non-Aligned Movement has 120 member states, 17 observer countries, and 10 observer organizations. Membership is open to any country that adheres to the principles of the movement, which include respect for human rights and sovereignty, non-intervention in domestic affairs, and peaceful coexistence.

Structure

The Non-Aligned Movement does not have a permanent secretariat or headquarters. Instead, it operates on a rotating chairmanship, with the chair being held by a member country for a period of three years. The highest decision-making body is the Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government, which meets every three years.

Summits

The Non-Aligned Movement holds summits every three years, where member states discuss and coordinate their positions on various international issues. The first summit was held in Belgrade in 1961, and subsequent summits have been held in various member countries.

Criticism and Challenges

The Non-Aligned Movement has faced criticism for its lack of cohesion and effectiveness. Some critics argue that the movement has struggled to adapt to the post-Cold War world and that its principles are less relevant in the current global political landscape.

Related Pages

• Bandung Conference
• Cold War
• Josip Broz Tito
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Gamal Abdel Nasser
• Sukarno
• Kwame Nkrumah
• Intergovernmental organization