Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung

Speaking at the event, Dung said NAM is an important politicalforce that has a strong voice to protect the interests of developing countries.

He said the movement, to deal with challenges and promoteits role, needs to boost solidarity and act in line with the Bangdungprinciples as a basis for its work toward supporting multilateralism andinternational law.

The official also recommended member nations seek measuresto improve mechanisms and working methods for better cooperation within theorganisation.

Dung took the occasion to affirm that Vietnam and ASEAN member states arestriving to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.

He noted such efforts, however, are being threatened bycomplex developments in the East Sea, particularly violations of sovereignrights and jurisdiction over its territorial waters as defined in the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam calls for NAM member states to back ASEAN’sconcerted efforts to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, Dungsaid.

Participating ministers focused their discussions on aseries of international and regional issues and on completing the preparationsfor the upcoming 18th NAM Summit slated for October 25 and 26.

In his opening speech at the meeting, Azerbaijani ForeignMinister Elmar Mammadyarov spoke highly of NAM’s key role in sustaininginternational peace and security. He added that the movement needs to improveto meet the demands of its member states, while stepping up cooperation ineconomy, energy, environment, and sustainable development, among others.

Established in 1961, NAM is dedicated to representing theinterests and aspirations of developing countries, and now has 120 members fromAsia, Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 60 percent of UN members.Vietnam joined the organisation in 1976./. VNA