DOCUMENT No. 10 

Nam Xiii Summit, Kuala Lumpur Declaration On Continuing The Revitalisation Of The Non-Aligned Movement,
25 February 2003

Date: 25 February 2003

We, the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement, gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24 – 25 February 2003 for the XIII Summit Conference, reaffirmed our abiding faith in, and strong commitment to, the ideals, principles and purposes of the Movement, as laid out at the Bandung Conference of 1955, and the Charter of the United Nations, inour common and continuing pursuit of establishing a peaceful, prosperous, and a more just and equitable world order.

            The Movement had played an active, even central role, over the years, on the issues of concern and vital importance to its members, such as decolonisation, apartheid, the situation in Palestine and the Middle East, disarmament, poverty eradication and socio-economic development, among others. After more than forty years of its founding, and having undergone many challenges and vicissitudes, it is timely and appropriate to comprehensively review the role, structure and work methods of our Movement in keeping with the times and the new realities, aimed at the further strengthening of our Movement. With the end of the Cold War, the emergence of unipolarity, the trend towards unilateralism and the rise of new challenges and threats, such as international terrorism, it is imperative for the Movement to promote multilateralism, better defend the interests of developing countries and prevent their marginalisation.

            With increased globalisation and the rapid advance of science and technology, the world has changed dramatically. The rich and powerful countries exercise an inordinate influence in determining the nature and direction of international relations, including economic and trade relations, as well as the rules governing these relations, many of which are at the expense of the developing countries. It is imperative, therefore, that the Movement respond in ways that will ensure its continued relevance and usefulness to its members.

            Globalisation presents many challenges and opportunities to the future and viability of all states. In its present form, it perpetuates or even increases the marginalisation of developing countries. We must ensure that globalisation will be a positive force for change for all peoples and will benefit the largest number of countries and not just a few. Globalisation should lead to the prospering and empowering of the developing countries, not their continued impoverishment and dependence on the wealthy and developed world.

            The revolution in the Information and Communications Technology is changing the world at a rapid speed and in a fundamental way, and is already creating a vast and widening digital divide between the developed and developing countries, which must be bridged if the latter are to benefit from the globalisation process. This new technological innovation must be made more easily available to the developing countries in their efforts to modernise and revitalise their economies in pursuit of their developmental goals.

            The achievement of these developmental goals requires an enabling international environment and the honouring of commitments and pledges made by states, including our partners in the developed world.

            The future presents as many challenges and opportunities as the past and the Movement must continue to remain strong, cohesive and resilient. The continued relevance of the Movement will depend, in large measure, on the unity and solidarity of its members as well as its ability to adapt to these changes. In this regard, the process of the revitalisation of the Movement, begun at its previous Summit Meetings, must be given further impetus.

            Consistent with our desire to translate our rhetoric into action, and in rededicating ourselves to the fundamental principles, purposes and goals of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, we resolve to make every effort to:

             Enhance our unity, based on our common interests and history of shared struggles, and persevere with our efforts to ensure that these interests are continuously promoted and our concerns are fully addressed.           

             Uphold and adhere to the fundamental principles of the Movement and the Charter of the United Nations in the preservation and promotion of world peace through dialogue and diplomacy among states and the avoidance of the use of force to resolve conflicts.

             Promote and strengthen the multilateral process as an indispensable vehicle in safeguarding the interests of member states of the Movement as well as those of the United Nations.

             Promote the democratisation of the system of international governance in order to increase the participation of developing countries in international decision making.

             Be pro-active, rather than reactive, to international developments, especially those that impact on the members of the Movement, so as to ensure that the Movement is not sidelined but be at the forefront of the international decision making processes.

             Strengthen our national capacities in order to enhance our individual and collective resilience.

             Enhance South-South Cooperation in all areas of our relations, particularly in the political, social, cultural, economic and scientific fields.

             Promote a more dynamic and cooperative relationship with the developed and industrialised countries, based on constructive engagement, broad partnership and mutuality of benefits.

             Promote closer interaction and cooperation with organisations of our civil society, the private sector and parliamentarians on the recognition that they can play a constructive role towards the attainment of our common goals.

·         In pursuit of these goals, Member States of the Movement shall strive to implement the following concrete measures:-

·         Undertake a sound review and analysis of the positions of the Movement on international issues, with a view to consolidating the common denominators among member states by focusing on issues that unite rather than divide us, thereby strengthening the unity and cohesion of the Movement.

·         Review and redefine the role of the Movement and improve its structure and methodology, including the need for a more focused and concise documentation, in order to make it more effective and efficient.

·         Enhance our coordination and cooperation through regular meetings of the Coordinating Bureau in New York, as well as in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other centres, if necessary, with a view to responding, on a timely basis, to international developments affecting the Movement and its members.

·         Utilise fully and effectively all exisiting mechanisms and institutions, such as the Troika, the Coordinating Bureau and all existing working groups, committees, the Non-Aligned Caucus of the Security Council, and establish new ones, as appropriate.

·         Utilise more effectively the regular NAM Foreign Ministers Meetings through more interactive sessions as well as encourage the interaction and involvement of other relevant Ministers towards enhancing the effectiveness and profile of the Movement.

·         Strengthen the role of the Chair, as spokesman of the Movement, through the establishment of appropriate mechanisms as part of the necessary backup system.

·         Strengthen coordination and cooperation, and formulate common strategies on socio-economic and development-related issues, with the Group of 77 through regular and more frequent meetings of the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC).

·         Follow up on decisions made at the United Nations Millennium Assembly and other international fora, such as the Doha Meeting on international trade, the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development as imperatives in addressing the urgent concerns of developing countries, such as poverty eradication, debt relief, capacity building and HIV/AIDS.

·         Expand, deepen and enrich South-South cooperation through enhanced regional and inter-regional cooperation, undertaking concrete projects and programmes, pooling of resources, and tapping the contributions of eminent personalities and institutions of the South.

·         Promote and develop mechanisms, including at relevant conferences, for international cooperation and solidarity in efforts to bridge the digital divide based on a partnership involving states, civil society and the private sector.

·         Continue to strongly support international programmes for Africa, particularly through NEPAD, as well as the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing Countries. 

·         Promote constructive dialogue and interaction with our development partners, particularly the G-8, through existing and appropriate new mechanisms, including institutionalised contacts, so as to bring about greater understanding between the North and South and to ensure that the views of the Movement are fully taken into account before important decisions affecting developing countries are made.

      In realising our goal of revitalising the Non-Aligned Movement, we must exert every effort towards the promotion of a multipolar world through the strengthening of the United Nations, as an indispensable international organisation for the maintenance of international peace and security, the promotion of human rights, social and economic development and respect for international law, as enshrined in its Charter.

<http://meadev.nic.in/speeches/NAMdec.htm>