"Apart from commemorating the 50th anniversary of NAM, the Bali meeting is also expected to formulate a new vision of NAM for the next 50 years," Michael said.
He said Indonesia viewed its membership in NAM as of great importance given its history as one of the founders of NAM and the fact that the organization was founded on the principles adopted by the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung in 1955.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Ministry`s Secretary to the Directorate General for Multilateral Cooperation Dominikus Pratikto said NAM was officially formed in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as a solidarity movement of newly independent countries, including Indonesia. At the beginning there were 25 members, namely Afghanistan, Algeria, Yemen, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Saudi Arabia , Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yugoslavia.
"Now, aged 50 years with a membership reaching 188 countries, NAM needs to create a new vision in order to remain relevant to its members in the face of global challenges," he said.
The 16th NAM Ministerial Meeting would be themed "Shared Vision on the Contribution of NAM for the Next 50 Years". The event will be participated in by 118 member countries and two candidate member countries, namely Fiji and Azerbaijan whose membership will be confirmed at the event.
Indonesia had also invited delegates from 18 countries and 10 observer organizations as well as 26 countries and 23 organizations as guests.
Until now, 72 countries have already confirmed their plan to send representatives to the meeting. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
