NGOs meet to discuss non-aligned movement

Members of the Japan Asia Africa and Latin America Solidarity Committee (JAALA) on January 6 participated in an international NGO meeting in Hyderabad, India in preparation for the XIII Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries (XIII NAM Summit).

The meeting, organized by the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), the International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies (IINS), the All India Peace Solidarity Organization (AIPSO), and JAALA, was held as an event in the Asia Social Forum on international politics and social problems.

The importance of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the present-day world was stressed at the meeting. Participants also confirmed that, irrespective of differences over the current international situation, NGOs have a significant role to play in strengthening the movement.

Akiniwa Toshio, JAALA president, emphasized that NAM is a strong political force which can influence international politics in defending world peace. His call for an international struggle against foreign military bases attracted participants' keen attention.

The XIII NAM Summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from February 20 to 25. (end)