Ambassador Trias: The Non Aligned Movement is a very effective movement

The 15th Summit of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) has just concluded in Egypt, and some may wonder if the organization, which was founded in the 1950s in an attempt to thwart the Cold War, still has relevance now that the Cold War has ended.{{more}}

The continuous state of conflict and tension that existed after World War II between the Soviet Union and their satellites and the America led western World led to the formation of this organization, which was intended to be independent, not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

But the Cold War has ended, so does the 118-member organization, which was the brainchild of the first and longest serving Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, still have a purpose?

Yes, says Cuban Ambassador to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Olga Chamero Trias.

In a recent interview with SEARCHLIGHT, Ambassador Chamero Trias said that the organization still plays a pivotal role in international relations.

At the Egypt Summit, Cuba handed over the rotating two-year chairmanship of the NAM to Egypt, and Chamero Trias said that during the last two years the organization has been very active. She said that the NAM, in addition to making several important declarations has also been very vocal in the United Nations on issues like human rights.

Over the last two years, the NAM has also issued statements backing Iran’s “peaceful” uses of nuclear power, lending support to the Palestine people, condemning the actions of Israel and supporting the unification of the Korean Peninsula.

Inter-ministerial meetings were also held in the areas of education and culture.

“The NAM is a very effective movement,” the Ambassador said.

Chamero Trias further stated that the NAM has a Coordination Bureau at the United Nations (UN), where Ambassadors to the UN from the NAM member countries discuss various issues and come up with united positions when it is time to vote at the UN.

She said that because the NAM has no hierarchy, and no member has veto powers, all the members, no matter how small they are, have a single vote on issues within the organization, and are given a voice that they may not usually have on their own.

St Vincent and the Grenadines joined the NAM in 2003.(KJ)