Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the most serious threats to the Non-Aligned Movement are the spread of extremism in the world and outside interference in the internal affairs of countries.
“Today, interference in the affairs of other countries, occupation and extremism constitute unprecedented threats not only to global peace, security and development, but also to solidarity among NAM member states,” Zarif said in the opening speech of the 17th foreign ministerial meeting of the 120-member organization in Venezuela’s Margarita Island on Thursday, IRNA reported.
“In this complicated situation, self-restraint and full adherence to international law, regulations and norms, as well as the United Nations Charter principles, are a must,” he said.
The foreign minister said the 17th NAM summit themed “Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development” is a good opportunity for countries to discuss better handling of ongoing challenges.
“Violent extremism and terrorism, with their dire consequences of growing conflicts and humanitarian crises, are among real threats, [dealing with] which require more attention of the NAM.”
Zarif arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, along with two of his deputies, Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi.
In this NAM summit, which started on September 13 and will wrap up on September 18, Iran should hand over the rotating presidency of the movement to Venezuela for three years.
Established in 1961, NAM is a group of states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The movement has 120 members and 21 observer countries, representing nearly two-thirds of the UN members.
Working for Global Peace
President Hassan Rouhani was also slated to participate in the meeting of the heads of state and government, and deliver a speech today.
Before his departure on Friday, the president in a brief address to reporters expressed concern about the situation in the region as well as other parts of the world.
“The world and West Asia are not in a good condition,” he said. “For us, our national security and then regional and world stability and security are of top importance.”
The president said NAM member states should find solutions for global issues, including violation of sovereignty of countries.
“We should all seek peace and stability in the region and the world.”
After Venezuela, Rouhani will also pay a visit to Cuba where he will meet his counterpart, Raul Castro, as well as Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuban Revolution.
Then he will visit the UN headquarters in New York to participate in the 71th annual session of the UN General Assembly that opens on September 13.
The president is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UNGA’s annual gathering of world leaders, the General Debate, which will be held during September 20-26 themed “Sustainable development goals: A universal push to transform our world.”
Rouhani’s appearance at the event this year will be his fourth since he took office in August 2013.
