DOCUMENT ON THE METHODOLOGY
OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT
14th NAM SUMMIT

The Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement who met in Havana between 15 and 16 September 2006 on the occasion of the 14th NAM Summit,

Acknowledging the fundamental importance of further improving the working methods of the Movement as an important component of its process of strengthening and revitalization

Decide:

1. To reaffirm the document adopted by the Meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in 1996. (See Annex 1);

2. To reaffirm also those practices developed by the Movement which, as a result of their continuous use over the years, have become working methods of the Non-Aligned Movement, including those contained in Annex 2;

3. To promote participatory methods of debate, including interactive dialogues. The interactive dialogues could be focused on agreed priority issues;

4. To continue holding, as has been done to date, Ministerial Meetings in New York in the framework of regular sessions of the UN General Assembly. Those meetings should consider, inter alia, the Movement’s positions on priority issues included on the agenda of the General Assembly. The Final Communiqué adopted by the meeting will serve as a guideline for the Members of the Movement when dealing with those issues during the regular session of the General Assembly;

5. To further strengthen the role of the Coordinating Bureau as the focal point for coordination of the Movement;

6. To revitalize the Standing Ministerial Committee for Economic Cooperation in accordance with the decisions adopted by the Movement. The Standing Ministerial Committee should meet as frequently as necessary upon the recommendation of the Coordinating Bureau;

7. To review the existing Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees in order to determine their relevance. The Coordinating Bureau shall conduct periodic reviews of the existing Groups, Task Forces or Committees, at least once during the term of each Chair, in order to validate those that continue to be relevant and to establish new ones, as necessary;

8. To revitalize the Joint Coordinating Committee of the NAM and the Group of 77, mainly within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly and other international meetings;

The JCC should meet, at least, twice a year, preferably at the beginning of the year and preceding the regular session of UN General Assembly;

9. To create a NAM Contact Group on humanitarian affairs, under the coordination of the Chair, with a task to mobilize resources and assistance to address the humanitarian impact caused by natural disasters and pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and avian flu, that may occur in the NAM Member countries;

10. To maintain the current mechanism of the Troika of the NAM, which will assist the work of the Chair. The Troika shall report on its deliberations to the NAM Coordinating Bureau;

11. To convene, as appropriate, the Former Chairs of the Movement to promote informal exchanges of experiences and brainstorming on particular issues of interest to the Movement;

12. To advance in the creation of a support mechanism to the Chair of the NAM to contribute to the efficient fulfilment of its mandates and tasks. The Coordinating Bureau will decide on its modalities and methods of work;

13. To continue with the process of improving the documentation of the Summits and Ministerial Conferences of the Non-Aligned Movement;

14. In this context, Member States shall work to:

i. Include in the Final Document of the Summit Conference, concrete action-oriented measures and initiatives;

ii. Compile as a Plan of Action, at the end of each Summit, the concrete actions and action-oriented initiatives adopted during the meeting;

iii. Adopt, as necessary, statements, declarations or special appeals on issues and situations of special interest to the Movement;

iv. Continue the process of streamlining its outcomes with the aim to issue more concise documents.

ANNEX 1:

CARTAGENA DOCUMENT ON  METHODOLOGY

Introduction

The Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement who met for the Summit Conference held in Cartagena de lndias, Colombia, on 18-20 October 1995, recognized that, in order to enhance the role of the Movement, it is essential to bolster its internal strength. They decided to introduce a rotating three-year chairmanship for the Ministerial Committee on Methodology, which they considered would provide impetus to the process of further improving the working methods and efficiency of the Movement. In this regard, they insisted on the importance of adopting criteria for the admission of new members, observers and guests in a timely fashion. They reiterated the view that enhancing the Movement's role must be a constant process and considered that the Ministerial Committee on Methodology should continue to intensify its activities for a thorough and extensive analysis of several aspects related to the structure and modalities of the Non-Aligned Movement. They recommended that the Ministerial Committee meet in early 1996, to consider ways and means to enhance the role of the Movement in light of recent changes in the international situation.

The Coordinating Bureau in New York, through its Working Group on Methodology chaired by Colombia as Chairman of the Movement, met on seventeen occasions to consider a working paper submitted by Colombia. Members of the Movement were consulted thoroughly with respect to this paper. The Committee met in Plenary in Cartagena de Indias from 15 to 16 May, 1996.

I. FORMAT AND FREQUENCY OF THE MEETINGS

As has been the practice, the high level meetings of the Movement are: Summit Conferences, Ministerial Conferences, Ministerial Meetings in New York during the regular Session of the UN General Assembly, Extraordinary Ministerial Meetings, Ministerial Meetings of the Coordinating Bureau, meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology, meetings of the Standing Ministerial Committee on Economic Cooperation and Ministerial meetings in various fields of international cooperation.

A. Conference of Heads of State or Government.

The Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government is the highest decision making body of the Movement. The existing practice of holding the Summit Conference every three years should be maintained. The Summit should be held at least one month before the regular Session of the General Assembly. The Programme for the Summit should include a formal ceremony for the handing over of the Chairmanship.

Summit decisions should be action-oriented. The format of a general debate should also be preserved. There will be an indicative time limit for statements in the Plenary as recommended by the Coordinating Bureau.

If possible, the Co-ordinating Bureau in New York should recommend the composition of the Bureau prior to the Conference. In order to be part of the Bureau of the Conference, the Member State should be represented at the Head of State or Government level.

Senior Officials and Ministerial meetings which are preparatory to the Summit Conference, should be maintained. The Summit will have two committees, one for political issues and another for economic and social issues. In order to facilitate the preparation of the final drafts of the main documents, the committees can begin their work informally during the Senior Officials Meeting. The host country should chair these committees until their Chairmen are elected.

The meetings may be structured in such a way as to allow for the holding of informal bilateral consultations among Heads of Delegations.

B. Ministerial Conference.

The Ministerial Conference is held for the purpose of reviewing the development and implementation of decisions of the preceding Summit, to prepare for the following one, and to discuss matters of urgency.

These Conferences should be convened 18 months after the Summit Conference.

When the Conference is hosted and chaired by a Member of NAM who is not the Chairman of the Movement, the NAM Chairman should be granted a seat as Ex-officio member of the Bureau.

There should be a Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting prior to the Conference. The practice of having working groups on political, economic and social issues will be maintained. These working Groups may begin their work informally during the Senior Officials Meeting and the host country shall chair them until the Chairmen are elected.

C. Extraordinary Ministerial Meetings.

Extraordinary Ministerial meetings should be convened only when necessary upon recommendation of the Coordinating Bureau, to address specific matters. The agenda should be confined to these matters.

D. Ministerial Meetings in New York during the Session of the UN General Assembly.

As has been the practice, the Ministerial Meeting in New York will be held at the beginning of the regular Session of the UN General Assembly. To ensure the largest participation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the meeting should be held as soon after the opening session of the General Assembly as possible.

The meeting should focus on the items of the Agenda of the General Assembly that are of major importance to the Movement. Following the meeting, a final communiqué shall be issued by the Ministers with a view to providing members of the Movement with guidelines. The final communiqué should concentrate on substantive issues of the Agenda.

E. Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau

These meetings should be restricted to preparations for the Summit and, if deemed necessary, to consider issues of major importance to the Movement.

F. Meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology

All NAM members are to be members of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology. Bearing in mind that the examination of the structure and modalities of the Non-Aligned Movement is an ongoing process, meetings of the Committee on Methodology at Ministerial level should be held as necessary upon a decision by the Summit or the Ministerial Conference. The meeting of the Ministerial Committee will be chaired by the Chairman of the Movement.

G. Standing Ministerial Committee on Economic Cooperation.

It is necessary to revitalize the Standing Ministerial Committee on Economic Co-operation in order to strengthen South-South Co-operation, reactivate the dialogue between developed and developing countries, and enhance the role of the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly, in international co-operation for development. The Standing Ministerial Committee should meet as frequently as necessary upon the recommendation of the Coordinating Bureau.

H. Ministerial Meetings on various areas of International Cooperation.

As per the mandates given by the Conference of Heads of State or Government, the meetings at ministerial level shall focus on such issues as information, culture, agriculture, and the foreign debt.

I. Regular meetings of the Coordinating Bureau.

All NAM members are to be members of the Coordinating Bureau. The Bureau is the forum in which the Movement coordinates its actions within the United Nations. Regular meetings of the Coordinating Bureau should be held on a monthly basis, at Ambassadorial level. An agenda, containing the items to be considered, will be circulated in advance.

J. Extraordinary Meetings of the Coordinating Bureau.

The extraordinary meetings of the Coordinating Bureau will take place in exceptional cases which call for urgent consideration.

K. Meetings of the Working Groups, Task Forces, Contact Groups and Committees.

All the existing Working Groups, Task Forces, Contact Groups and Committees, as included in the Annex, make considerable contributions to the Movement. The working groups and abovementioned mechanisms should meet as often as necessary. Due care should be exercised to avoid overlapping of meetings.

L. Meetings of the "Joint Coordinating Committee of NAM and G-77".

JCC meetings should be held in accordance with the document entitled "Terms of Reference of the JCC".

II. DECISION MAKING

The decisions regarding consensus of the 6th Summit and those contained in the reports of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology presented to the 9th and 10th Summits are still valid.

A. Consensus

The practice of the Movement has been to make all decisions by consensus. Consensus has enhanced the solidarity and unity of the Movement. This practice should be maintained insofar as it presupposes understanding of and respect for different points of view, including disagreement and implies mutual accommodation on the basis of which agreement can emerge by a sincere process of adjustment among member nations in the true spirit of Non-Alignment.

The concept of consensus that currently exists in NAM should be maintained and the present method of conducting Non-Aligned Meeting which allows for broad consultations prior to the meeting and extensive debates in the meetings themselves should be continued as it contributes to the broadening of the area of agreement and thereby strengthening the unity of the Movement.

It is worth noting that consensus, while signifying substantial agreement, does not require or imply unanimity. In this regard, consensus and the methods of promoting it as enunciated by the Chairman in the 1973 Preparatory Committee of Non-Aligned Countries for the Non-Aligned Summit in Algiers and the relevant decision of the Sixth Summit Conference in Havana in 1979, are still valid.

On sensitive issues, particular attention should be paid to openness and the holding of extensive consultations with the broadest possible participation. The Bureau of the Meeting, with its representative capacity, should render its assistance. Reservations should be kept to a minimum. Consensus decisions thus arrived at will be more easily implemented and will enhance the credibility and the effectiveness of the Movement. Every effort should be made so that the positions of the Non-Aligned Countries in different fora are congruous with the positions of the Movement. Member Countries should lend full support to the institutions created by consensus decisions of the Movement.

B. Guidelines for promoting consensus

The guidelines adopted by the 11th Summit will continue to be applied when the extent of the disagreement indicates the absence of consensus.

III. CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

A. Members

The main criterion for the admission of new members should be the adherence to and respect for the principles and objectives of the Movement.

The aspiring country should have adopted an independent policy based on the coexistence of States with different political and social systems, and on Non-Alignment, in line with the Ten Bandung Principles which are the foundation of the Movement.

The Ten Bandung Principles are the following:

1) Respect for fundamental human rights and for the aims and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

2) Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

3) Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, large and small.

4) Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.

5) Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself individually or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

6) a) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers.

b) Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries.

7) Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.

8) Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

9) Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation.

10) Respect for justice and international obligations.

The aspiring country should also adhere to the principles and aims of the Movement which have been reaffirmed by the Heads of State or Government in the 11th Summit, such as independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of States, the attainment of general and complete disarmament under effective international control, the right of peoples under colonial or other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation to realize their right to self-determination, equality among nations, full respect for international law, pacific settlement of disputes, the democratization of international relations, economic and social development, an equitable international economic order, the development of human resources, the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, and the co-existence of different systems, cultures and societies.

Solidarity with the Movement shall be considered as an additional criterion for admission of new members and will be assessed in light of support for NAM initiatives and proposals.

A country wishing to become a Member of the Movement, should submit a written application by its Head of State/Government or Foreign Minister, addressed to the Chair of the Movement, who shall then circulate it to the Members of NAM.

The application should be submitted within a reasonable period of time prior to the Summit or the Ministerial Conference in which a decision will be made on that application. The Co-ordinating Bureau should consider the application and if no objections are expressed, recommend the admission to the Summit or the Ministerial Conference.

Further consultations should be held if the application does not generate consensus within the Coordinating Bureau. Ministerial and Summit Conferences should only consider admissions recommended by the Coordinating Bureau.

B. Observers

Within the framework of the need to promote the opening of the Movement to the contributions of other actors in the international arena, the current practice of admitting states as observers to the NAM meetings should be maintained. States which fulfil criteria for admission as members will have the option of applying for observer status.

Observers may attend and, with the Bureau’s permission, address the Plenary of a Summit Conference or Ministerial meeting. They shall not participate in Committees nor in the meetings of NAM Working Groups, Contact Groups or Task Forces.

Admission Procedure. The procedure for admission of members will apply for admission of observers.

C. Guests

Interested States, Inter-governmental Organizations and relevant Non-governmental Organizations may be invited as Guests to the Summit and Ministerial Conferences. Nevertheless, there will be no permanent guest status.

Guests will be invited on an ad-hoc basis to each Summit and Ministerial Conference. The invitation will be issued by the host country after due consideration by the Coordinating Bureau. The current guests of the Movement are to be included in the list provided by the Coordinating Bureau.

Guests shall only attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Conference and do not have the right to attend and participate in the deliberations.

IV. COORDINATION

This section is aimed at improving the co-ordination and functioning of the existing working groups, contact groups, task forces and committees of NAM, in order to promote the process of achieving a commonality of positions and interests of the Non-Aligned Countries and speaking with one voice in international meetings and negotiations.

A. The Coordinating Bureau

The Coordinating Bureau is the focal point for coordination and should continue to act as such. The Bureau should review and facilitate the harmonization of the work of the NAM Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees.

In the Cartagena Final Document the Heads of State or Government expressed appreciation for the important and active role being played by the Coordinating Bureau in New York and its Working Groups and Drafting Groups. They were also convinced that such a role should be further intensified to meet the rapidly changing needs in the international arena, including the emergence of new issues of great concern to the Movement.

The Heads of State or Government, therefore, entrusted the Coordinating Bureau with the task of intensifying its actions to further strengthen coordination and mutual cooperation among Non-Aligned Countries, including unified action in the United Nations and other international fora on issues of common concern.

B. Coordination of the Coordinating Bureau and Role of the Chair

The Chairman has the responsibility of leading and coordinating the activity of NAM within the United Nations and, as appropriate, in other international fora.

In addition to the Coordinating Bureau, the Chairman may also preside over other NAM mechanisms as necessary. As has been the practice, some working groups could be presided over by other members.

C. Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees.

All NAM Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees will remain active and meet as often as necessary. In the fulfilment of their mandates due regard must be paid to coordination, efficiency and preparedness.

D. Non-Aligned Security Council Caucus

In the Cartagena Summit, the Heads of State or Government stressed the need to extend and enhance co-ordination and to study the possibility of holding consultations, on a regular basis, between Members of the NAM Caucus and the other Members of the Movement through the Coordinating Bureau.

It is necessary that the NAM Countries elected to the Council and who form the NAM Caucus constantly strive to adopt unified positions, and that the decisions and the positions of NAM as adopted at its Summits and Ministerial Conferences and by the Coordinating Bureau be properly reflected by them in the Security Council, without prejudice to their sovereign rights.

The Caucus has also an important role to play in promoting transparency and democratization of the working methods of the Security Council through its participation, inter alia, in the Security Council Working Group on Procedures and Documentation and in the Sanctions Committee.

The Chairman of the Co-ordinating Bureau in New York should attend and address the Security Council on matters of particular importance to members of the Movement. To extend the scope of coordination, the Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau may, at the invitation of the Non- Aligned Security Council Caucus, attend the Meetings of the Caucus.

The Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau should hold regular meetings with each coordinator of the Non-Aligned Security Council Caucus with a view to being briefed on the work of the Council and in turn, to convey to the Caucus coordinator the positions of the Movement. Similarly, the Caucus coordinator should keep the Chairman apprised of upcoming discussions and issues of general importance to the Movement.

The Coordinator of the Non-Aligned Security Council Caucus should periodically brief the Movement through the Coordinating Bureau.

E. Joint Coordinating Committee

The Heads of State and Government recognized in Cartagena the importance of coordination and cooperation between the NAM and the Group of 77 in promoting the interest of Developing Countries in international fora.

F. Coordination of Non-Aligned Countries in other United Nations Centres

Bearing in mind that coordination in New York has proved indispensable and valuable, the Chairman of the Movement will give expeditious consideration to the establishment of similar arrangements of Non-Aligned Countries in   all   United Nations centres and international organization headquarters. The   establishment of these arrangements would further facilitate coordination and cooperation with the Coordinating Bureau and enhance the role of the Movement in international fora.

V. ENHANCEMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE MOVEMENT

At the Cartagena Summit the Heads of State or Government expressed their satisfaction at the current trend of revitalization in the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement and stressed that such a trend should be maintained and encouraged. They also concurred, in particular, to improve the mechanism for enhancing the role of the Non-Aligned Movement in conformity with changes in the international situation so that the Movement is able to respond effectively and expeditiously to the current challenges, on the basis of positions agreed by its Members. They underscored the role that the Movement has to play in the United Nations and the need to enhance its participation in all United Nations Bodies.

In keeping with the mandate of Cartagena, the Movement should enhance its unity and cohesion and coordinate positions of Member Countries towards major international issues, with a view to strengthening their negotiating power vis-a-vis the developed Countries. In this regard, it is essential to widen the scope of agreement, expand its area of action, set clearer criteria and procedures, and develop the principle of solidarity among the members of the Movement. A united and cohesive Movement would be able to project its influence on the global scenario with greater force and effectiveness.

The Ministerial Committee recalled the decision of the Cartagena Summit to mandate the Co-ordinating Bureau to further study the question of a mechanism for peaceful settlement of disputes between Member States, including proposals made and positions expressed at the Summit and to report to the Committee on Methodology. They noted that this study has yet to be submitted.

The promotion of the inner strength of the Movement should benefit from concrete steps with the view to revitalise South-South Co-operation, inter alia, by implementation of relevant decisions of the 11th Summit and examination/consideration by the appropriate body of all other relevant proposals conducive to this end. Additionally, while preserving its own identity, the Movement should seek constructive dialogue with developed Countries, including the members of the Group of 7, for international cooperation and promote the interests of the South in multilateral negotiations with the developed Countries.

The Ministerial Committee on Methodology has continued an extensive examination on aspects related to the structure and modalities of the Movement in the understanding that the enhancement of the role of the Movement is a continuing process based on the fulfilment of the mandates of the Summit and Ministerial Conferences and Meetings of the Movement.

The Non-Aligned Movement should continue to explore ways and means of enhancing its role in a rapidly changing international environment, and in this regard, the meeting asked the Coordinating Bureau to establish a Working Group on the Enhancement of the Role of the Movement.

VI. DOCUMENTATION

Documents should be concise, Non-repetitive and succinct, highlighting issues of particular importance or urgency on issues for which the meeting was convened. Emphasis should be placed on practical, action-oriented measures that could be implemented. The practice of issuing separate appeals or declaration or other documents on important issues should be maintained.

The documents of Summit Conferences, which are the supreme organ of the Movement, should, while remaining comprehensive, be condensed. Every effort should be made to avoid repetition.

The document for the Ministerial Conference that takes place between two Summits should focus on reviewing the implementation of Recommendations, Decisions and Action Programmes of continuing relevance, and on dealing with developments of particular importance or urgency for the Movement, since the previous Summit. It should not duplicate the final document of the Summit.

Documents for "Extra-ordinary and other Ministerial Meetings", should be limited to the topic for which the Meeting is convened.

Coordinating Bureau meetings in New York may continue issuing Communiques.

Documents concerning the Action Programme for Economic Co-operation should be carefully reviewed in order to ensure that it concerns only those areas where cooperation is taking place or is realistically possible in the short and medium run.

The preparation of all documents should be the responsibility of the host country and should be the object of the widest possible consultation. Host Countries should aim at circulating the first draft as early as possible and in any event not later than one month before the Meeting.

The Report of the Rapporteur General of the Summit Conference and Ministerial Meetings should be made available together with the main documents.

VII. ANNEX

CURRENT NAM WORKING GROUPS, CONTACT GROUPS, TASK FORCES AND COMMITTEES.

1) NAM High-Level Working Group for the Restructuring of the United Nations (Chaired by Chairman of NAM).

a) NAM Working Group for the Restructuring of the Security Council (Chaired by Egypt).

b) NAM Drafting Groups of the NAM High-Level Working Group for the Restructuring of the United Nations dealing with the Supplement to an Agenda for Peace:

- NAM Drafting Group on UN Imposed Sanctions (Coordinator: India).

- NAM Drafting Group on Preventive Diplomacy and Peace-Making (Coordinator: Zimbabwe).

- NAM Drafting Group on Post Conflict Peace- Building (Coordinator: Egypt).

- NAM Drafting Group on Coordination (Coordinator: Colombia).

2) NAM Working Group on Human Rights (Chaired by Malaysia).

3) NAM Working Group on Peace-Keeping Operations (Chaired by Thailand).

4) Ministerial Committee on Methodology (Chaired by Chairman of NAM).

5) NAM Working Group of the Coordinating Bureau on Methodology (Chaired by Colombia).

6) NAM Working Group on Disarmament (Chaired by Indonesia).

7) Committee on Palestine (Chaired by Chairman of NAM).

8) Contact Group on Cyprus (Chaired by Algeria).

9) Task Force on Somalia (Chaired by Chairman of NAM).

10) Task Force on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

11) Non-Aligned Security Council Caucus.

12) Coordinator Countries of the Action Programme for Economic Cooperation (APEC).

13) Standing Ministerial Committee for Economic Cooperation (Chaired by Chairman of NAM).

14) Joint Coordinating Committee -JCC- (Chaired by Chairman of G-77 and Chairman of NAM).

ANNEX 2:

PRACTICES OF THE MOVEMENT, WHICH AS A RESULT OF THEIR CONTINUOS USE OVER THE YEARS,

HAVE BECOME WORKING METHODS OF THE NAM

I. CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT.

The Co-ordinating Bureau in New York, prior to the conference, must recommend the composition of the Bureau of the Conference which, in addition to the Chairman, shall be made up by 8 countries from the Africa Group, 7 countries from the Asia Group, 4 countries from the Latin American and the Caribbean Group and 1 country from the Europe Group. All shall participate in their capacity as Vice-presidents. A Rapporteur and the country that held the previous Chairmanship, as Ex-Oficio Member, shall also be included in the Bureau. In order to be part of the Bureau of the Conference, the Member State should be represented at the Head of State or Government level.

The NAM Summit host country that is to assume the Movement's Chairmanship shall be responsible for the event’s logistical organization and, in accordance with its possibilities and financial situation, shall offer courtesy services in terms of lodging, transportation and other facilities, during the Summit, to high-level delegations. The granting of such facilities shall be the decision of the host country. If the host country is not in a position to provide the above-mentioned courtesy services, expenses shall be covered by each of the attending delegations.

II. PARTICIPATION OF COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AS GUESTS IN SUMMITS OF THE MOVEMENT

Countries and organizations that participate as guests in a Summit of the Movement shall be included in the list supplied by the Coordinating Bureau so that their participation in the following Summit can be considered. Countries and organizations that have not participated as guests in the last NAM Summit held and that wish to participate in the following Summit shall have to officially apply to the Chair of the Coordinating Bureau to be included on the list to be submitted for consideration.

III. Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau

These meetings must be held approximately four months prior to the holding of the Summit and, as a rule, they must take place in the country that holds the Chair.

IV. THE FUNCTIONING OF COORDINATING STRUCTURES WITHIN THE  MOVEMENT

a) Chairmanship

The Chair shall be held following the principle of regional rotation, for a period of three consecutive years, by members of the different geographic regions that make up the Movement, namely: Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe.

A Summit host country automatically assumes the Chair of the Movement until the holding of the next Summit.

b) Working Groups, Contact Groups, Task Forces and Committees.

These Groups or Committees must effectively function as coordinating structures to define the stances of the Movement on those issues of the international agenda that constitute a high priority for the Non-Aligned Movement. They may promote resolutions or decisions at different international fora, seek support for these and coordinate the participation of the Non-Aligned countries in debates on specific topics at different UN bodies or any other venue agreed by its members. They shall work mainly within the framework of the main political bodies of the United Nations. They shall submit periodic reports on their activities to the Coordinating Bureau.

Standing Committees shall be chaired by the country that holds the Chairmanship of the Movement. Working Groups, Contact Groups or Task Forces may be coordinated by different countries, including the country that holds the Chairmanship. The coordinators of these groups must adhere to a consistent rotational scheme so as to give all NAM members an opportunity to hold this position, in accordance with principles of equality and effectiveness. The term of the coordinators must be of three years as a minimum.