Introduction

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) holds its15th Summit in Sharm al-Sheikh Egypt on July 11 to 16, 2009. The Movement’s top officials will meet on July 11 to 12, the Foreign Ministers’ on 13 to 14, and the Heads of State and Government on July 15 to 16. The Chair will be handed over to Egypt, one of NAM’s first founding members.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded with the collapse of the colonial system and the beginning of independence struggles for peoples in Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world and at the height of the Cold War. During the early days of the Movement, its actions were a key factor in the decolonization process, which led later to the attainment of freedom and independence by many countries and peoples and to the founding of tens of new sovereign States. Throughout its history, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries has played a fundamental role in the preservation of world peace and security.

The principles that would govern relations among large and small nations, known as the "Ten Principles of Bandung", were proclaimed at that Conference. Such principles were adopted later as the main goals and objectives of the policy of non-alignment. The fulfillment of those principles became the essential criterion for Non-Aligned Movement membership; they represent what has come to be known as the "quintessence of the Movement" until the early 1990s.

As the Movement’s Chair, Egypt is keen on protecting NAM’s legacy. However, it also strives to formulate new policies to help deal with the challenges of the 21st Century. Egypt deems the summit an opportunity for comparing notes on current issues and for boosting cooperation within the Movement to achieve its interests and aspirations. Parallel to this Summit, a meeting of the First Ladies of the Non-Aligned countries will be held under the chairpersonship of Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.