Antigua and Barbuda has called for a rebranded, revitalised and revived Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as the organisation wrapped up three days of meeting in the Venezuela capital, Caracas, on Sunday.
Making the call was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade, E.P Chet Greene, who led the Antigua and Barbuda delegation at the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Non-Aligned Movement from July 19th – 21st a release said.
“A rebranded, revitalised and revived NAM has a duty to be a strong global advocate against the existential threats of unrestricted climate destruction, de-risking and blacklisting,” Greene said.
He added that the right to survive, to live and enjoy the benefits of a shared planet must no longer be a right of a handful of countries, but a common and shared right of all. He noted that Antigua and Barbuda advocates that this must be a shared vision and expressed mission of all members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
According to the minister, only NAM can lead this new global imperative of consolidation of peace through respect for international law.
Greene recalled that it was the collapse of Colonial systems and the struggle for independence by oppressed nations of the Caribbean and the rest of the world which resulted in the establishment of this international movement as a voice and catalyst for change and liberation.
He gave assurances that Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to supporting the core principles of the Movement as it continues to play an essential role in the strengthening of international peace and security, consistent with establishing a more prosperous and peaceful world.
The three-day conference was attended by more than 90 of the 120 members of NAM with each delegation offering statements of support for Venezuela, its government and people against the backdrop of efforts to undermine its government.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a fiery speech of defiance by the Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro.
The Antigua and Barbuda delegation also included Senior Consular Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lance Browne, and Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Cuba, George Goodwin Jr.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international grouping of countries that do not want to be officially alignedto any power bloc. The group was started in Belgrade in 1961. Membership of NAM is drawn largely from territories that were once occupied by, or colonies of, major western countries.