Non-Aligned Movement is a group of developing countries whose members are not aligned with (joined with) the major powers. Such major powers include the European Union and the United States. Non-Aligned nations meet to discuss common interests and strive to avoid what they consider to be the excessive influence of developed nations. The movement’s headquarters and leadership rotate every three years. Its leaders have included President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, and President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt. The Non-Aligned Movement had its origins in a conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. The Bandung Conference was attended by 29 Asian and African nations. These nations aimed to avoid aligning with either the United States or the Soviet Union—the two superpowers involved in the Cold War. The Cold War was a period of intense rivalry between Communist and non-Communist nations.
The Non-Aligned Movement holds a summit (major meeting) every few years. The movement’s first summit was held in Belgrade, in what was then the Yugoslav republic of Serbia, in 1961. Member nations declared their intention to focus on national independence struggles, ending poverty, and developing their economies. Following the end of the Cold War in the early 1990’s, the movement redefined its role as addressing the divide between wealthy industrialized nations and poorer developing nations. The movement has also called for various reforms in the United Nations and its Security Council. Member nations have discussed a variety of issues, including human trafficking, food security, climate change, and corruption.
See also Third World .
