The majority of the 116 members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have confirmed attendance at the organization’s 14th Summit slated to take place in Havana, Cuba, September 11-16.

By Orlando Oramas Leon

Foreign Ministry sources note that many of the member nations will be represented on the event’s final two days at the Havana Convention Center by their heads of state or government.

The Secretary Generals of the United Nations and the Arab League, and the President of the African Union, are also expected at the meeting that will be attended as well by 15 observer nations, five international organizations and two national liberation movements.

Confirmation of the attendance of most NAM members, the new memberships and the interest that the event is eliciting in the media, occurs as Cuban authorities are working hard to guarantee its success.

NAM celebrates its 45th anniversary with an international situation characterized by United States’ unilateral impositions, thus validating the principles and goal of consensus that led to the foundation of the movement in Belgrade in September 1961.

At present 116 nations hold seats as permanent members. Of those, 53 hail from Africa, 38 from Asia, 24 from Latin America and the Caribbean and one from Europe. Its membership is expected to grow during the Summit with the adherence of Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Organizers say that media representatives continue to seek accreditation. Over 800 journalists from over 40 nations will be reporting on the event.

Leaders attending the Havana summit are expected to focus their discussions on the revitalization and strengthening of the movement and to adopt a document addressing important international political and economic issues.

With the Summit, Cuba takes on the NAM presidency for a three year period, the second time the island has led the movement.

Source: Granma