Madame Chairperson,

It is incumbent upon us to reflect on how the Movement sees itself and where it stands on a myriad of other pressing global issues and concerns.

In undertaking this task, let us bear in mind the ideals laid down in the Bandung Declaration by our founding fathers, and most recently, the principles and decisions reaffirmed in the NAM Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau in Durban last April.

Terrorism

September 11 sadly illustrated the havoc and devastation a few determined but ruthless individuals can cause. The Movement should actively pronounce itself and participate in the fight against global terrorism in all its manifestations. We have learned over the past year that all aspects of terrorism must be addressed and that international cooperation is key. We must also bear in mind the historical, political and social motivations behind terrorism, in order to deal with it in a sustained and effective manner.

United Nations as Keystone of International Cooperation

And effective we must be. A key objective of NAM should be to strengthen and revitalize the General Assembly, which is the only UN organ wherein the sovereign equality of nations finds full expression. The GA's role in development also needs to be enhanced. In this regard, the Joint Coordinating Committee of NAM and G-77 should be utilized more often.

Reform of the Security Council

The reform of the Security Council is another essential aspect of strengthening the UN.  The membership of the Council must reflect the increase both in the numbers and diversity of the membership of the United Nations over the last fifty-six years.

For almost nine years the Open-Ended Working Group on the Security Council has invested tremendous efforts in seeking agreement on measures to reform the Security Council. It must remain the sole negotiating body on this issue.  NAM should take the lead in pressing for agreement on a comprehensive set of measures aimed at creating greater transparency of the Council's working methods, and at increasing the participation of non-members in the Council's decision-making process.

Conflict Prevention

Madame Chairperson, the scourge of war continues to afflict our world. Over five million lives around the globe have been lost in the past decade owing to intra and interstate conflicts. The United Nations deserves to be given the adequate resources to enhance its effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security.

NAM should support greater emphasis on conflict prevention, which is a more cost-effective option than UN peacekeeping. Conflict prevention would be most effective when it addresses the root causes of conflicts.  At the same time, conflict prevention measures of the UN should be clearly defined and undertaken in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

Peacekeeping Capacity of the United Nations

The Philippines, as other NAM members, remains actively engaged in UN peacekeeping missions, as our resources will allow. NAM should support constructive suggestions and arrangements aimed at improving UN peacekeeping operations, especially institutionalizing consultations between the Security Council and troop contributing and participating countries.

Humanitarian Intervention

Any UN intervention, no matter how justifiable, should ideally be carried out with the authority of the Security Council and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.  This is important if international order and collective support for UN operations is to be maintained.

Madame Chairperson, we have raised some important issues that the Philippines believes should occupy NAM's attention in the years ahead, especially at next year's Summit in Malaysia.  We believe that NAM, given the solidarity of its members, will be able to pursue these issues successfully.

Thank you.