Baku hosts youth week of Non-Aligned Movement

Baku has launched the Youth Week of the Non-Aligned Movement, a two-day event focused on international cooperation, the role of youth in global processes, and pressing climate issues.

The programme features a series of panel discussions addressing these topics, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The event was opened with an introductory speech by Leyla Hasanova, a youth climate champion at COP29.

In addition to young participants, the week includes representatives from government bodies, ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, as well as officials from international organisations and the expert community.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was established during the decolonisation era and the Cold War, supporting newly independent countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. It played a crucial role in decolonisation, helping many nations achieve sovereignty, and has consistently contributed to global peace and security.

The Bandung Asian-African Conference (April 18–24, 1955) is considered the precursor to NAM, where the "Ten Principles of Bandung" were adopted, later forming the foundation of non-alignment and membership criteria.

The Movement gained momentum in 1960 at the UN General Assembly, with 17 African and Asian countries admitted, and was formally established at the First Summit in Belgrade (September 1–6, 1961), with 25 member states. NAM was intentionally established as a movement, not a bureaucratic organisation, to maintain independence in international politics.

During the 1970s and 1980s, NAM advocated for a new international economic order, supporting equitable use of global resources and economic empowerment of developing countries. Over nearly six decades, the Movement has promoted peace, security, social justice, environmental sustainability, disarmament, and adherence to international law, uniting a diverse membership under its founding principles.

By Aghakazim Guliyev