International Relations on Resolutions of Summit of Heads of State and Government of Non-aligned Movement

Declaration of the XVII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Island of Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement, gathered in the Island of Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, within the framework of the XVII Conference Summit, on 17-18 September 2016, under the theme 'Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development', undertook a review of the state of the international situation.

Mindful of the fact that the history and reality of the world in which we live in today demonstrates that it is the developing countries of the world the ones who suffer more intensely from the disregard of international law, from invasions, from the ravages of war and armed conflicts, caused mostly by the geopolitical interests of the great centres of power, as well as from protracted conflicts inherited from colonialism and neo-colonialism,

Emphasizing that many of these crises have been triggered by the violation of the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Principles of Bandung,

Recognising that solidarity, the highest expression of respect, friendship and peace among States, is a broad concept encompassing the sustainability of international relations, the peaceful coexistence, and the transformative objectives of equity and empowerment of developing countries, whose ultimate goal is to achieve the full economic and social development of their peoples,

At the 55th anniversary of the Movement, determined to defend the right to peace, sovereignty and solidarity for the development of their peoples:

Guided by the visionary spirit of its founders and the principles and purposes of the Non-Aligned Movement enshrined in Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961), as well as by the firm commitment to achieve a world of peace, justice, respect, fraternal friendship, solidarity, cooperation and development

Reaffirming the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, the rules and principles of international law and the Declaration concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States

Encouraged by the validity of the founding principles of the Movement and the achievements that have marked its historical development, which ratify that the fight against colonialism and neo-colonialism, racism, all forms of foreign intervention, aggression, foreign occupation, domination or hegemony, as well as the intention of becoming a balancing factor in the international relations, outside of the military alliances of the centres of power, remain concrete expressions of the policy of non-alignment

Ratifying their commitment to the founding principles of the Non Aligned Movement and the principles enshrined in the Declaration on the Purposes and Principles and the Role of the Non Aligned Movement in the present international juncture adopted in the 14th NAM Summit in Havana

Convinced of the need to ensure that the Movement has a significant impact on the dynamics of international relations and in achieving the objectives that have underpinned its validity,

Expressing deep appreciation to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mr. Hassan Rouhani, for his valuable contribution to the process of strengthening and revitalizing the Non-Alignment Movement,

Having adopted the Final Declaration of the XVII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in the Island of Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, from 17-18 September 2016,

Declare, that the effective implementation of the Final Document of the Island of Margarita requires the highest commitment and willingness of all Members of the Movement to decisively address the challenges posed in the areas of peace, economic and social development, human rights and international cooperation, and for which they will make joint efforts to achieve the following objectives:

Strengthening and revitalisation of the movement: They reaffirmed their full and decisive support to the consolidation, strengthening and revitalization of the Non-Aligned Movement, as the only guarantee to preserve its legacy and historical validity and to ensure therefore its strength, cohesion and resilience, on the basis of unity in diversity and the solidarity of its Member States.

Strengthening International Peace and Security: They reiterated that they will continue to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with Article 2 and Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as with the UN Resolution 26/25 of 24 October 1970 and international law, in order to contribute to achieve said objective and to save future generations from the scourge of war and military conflict.

They further rejected the illegal policies of regime change aimed at overthrowing constitutional Governments, in contravention of international law. Furthermore, they stressed that overcoming conflicts and the achievement of a firm and lasting peace requires a holistic approach that addresses the structural causes of conflicts, in order to realize the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, development and...