XIII Conference of Heads of State or Government of
The Non-Aligned Movement
(6
February 2003)

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The Non-Aligned Movement
Historical Background
The formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) can be
traced back to the newfound sentiments and determination of the
leaders of 29 Asian and African countries, most of which were then
newly independent ones that participated in the Asian-African
Conference, more popularly known as the Bandung Conference, held in
Bandung, Indonesia from 18-24 April 1955.
The Bandung Conference discussed the possible measures
that these countries could implement in enhancing close cooperation in
the fields of politics, economy and culture. The main trust of the
Final Communique of the Conference was the Dasa Sila Bandung (The Ten
Principles of Bandung) which provided an agreed premise for them to
govern the conduct of relations among themselves as well as with other
countries in the said fields of cooperation.
Establishment
At the collective initiative of President Josip Eroz
Tito of the then Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, President
Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Prime Minister Jawalharlal Nehru of
India, and President Ahmad Soekarno of Indonesia, and with the
co-sponsorship of Afghanistan, the Preparatory Meeting for the 1st
Conference of Heads of State or Government of NAM (1st NAM Summit) was
convened, in Cairo, Egypt from 5-12 June 1961. The meeting was aimed
at conducting "a general discussion in an atmosphere of friendship and
understanding or questions relating to the holding of the 15t NAM
Summit".
As recommended by the aforementioned Cairo Preparatory
Meeting, the 1st NAM Summit was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia from 1-6
September 1961. Thus, the convening of the Summit marked the birth of
NAM.
Since the 1st NAM Summit in Belgrade in 1961, 11
subsequent Summits were held which involved ever-increasing
participation by the developing countries. Currently, the NAM is
represented by 114 member countries, 16 observer countries, 7 observer
organizations, 31 quest countries and 42 guest organizations.
Malaysia was officially brought into the fold of the
Movement as a member country with its participation in the Informal
Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NAM at New York on 27
September 1969. Subsequently, the Malaysian Delegation, led by Tun
Abdul Razak as the then Prime Minister, attended its first ever Summit
as a member country at the 3rd NAM Summit in Lusaka, Zambia from 8-10
September 1970.
Principles and Objectives
The appeal of NAM lies both in its origin as well as
its principles and objectives. The idea grew out of a desire of a
great majority of newly independent countries of Asia, Africa, Europe
and Latin America and the Caribbean to be free from any alignment in
the then rigidly bipolar world. Such a sentiment was able to reduce
tension and safeguard their newfound independence and national
integrity.
The XIII NAM Summit
The Conference of HOSIGs or NAM Summit is the highest
decision-making authority of the Movement. The existing practice is to
hold the Summit once in every three years. Malaysia is deeply honored
for being unanimously endorsed by the member states of NAM during the
Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of NAM in Qurban, South
Africa from 27-29 April 2002 as the host country of the XIII NAM
Summit as well as its Chair for 2003-2006. Malaysia's readiness in
hosting the XIII NAM Summit and assuming the NAM Chair is a testimony
to its strong commitment to the Movement.
Malaysia and the Non-Aligned Movement
Malaysia recognizes the importance of NAM as a major
forum for consultations and co-ordination of positions on political
and economic issues of importance among the developing countries. The
Movement must continue to strive for a global order that is peaceful,
secure and oriented towards prosperity, justice and equality, a world
in which the worth of the human person and the sovereignty of states
are upheld. The vitality and relevance of the Movement as a vehicle to
achieve these goals should be further strengthened and broadened based
on the commonality of interests and shared concerns, without
sacrificing its founding principles.
As a body representing almost two-thirds of the
sovereign states of the world, NAM's potential in shaping an
international order that takes into account the concerns of the
developing countries could be further enhanced. Malaysia, as the
upcoming Chair of NAM will endeavor to further promote this aim with
the cooperation of the larger NAM membership.
Technical Details
Date of Issue |
6 February 2003 |
Denomination |
30 sen (2 designs), 50 sen (2
designs) |
Stamp Size |
40mm X 30mm |
Perforation |
14 |
Sheet Content |
20 stamps |
Paper |
SPM Watermarked,
Phosphor Coated |
Printing Process |
Lithography |
Source :
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