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MANILA, Philippines?The Special Non-Aligned Movement Meeting, the biggest inter-governmental meeting in recent years, will kick off this week at the Philippine International Convention Center with over 150 countries sending their representatives, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary and NAM National Organizing Committee Secretary General Rafael Seguis said the SNAMMM highlights the Philippines' leading role in interfaith dialogue worldwide.
"The SNAMMM is the biggest inter-governmental meeting in recent years, and the first of its kind ever to be hosted by the Philippines. It aims to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation to cultivate a culture of respect, tolerance, understanding and harmony among people of different faiths, cultures and religions," Seguis said.
Over 105 delegations have already confirmed their attendance in the SNAMMM, including 24 foreign ministers and 19 deputy ministers from NAM member- and observer- countries and guest organizations.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will give a keynote address on March 17. Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, president of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, will be the guest of honor and is expected to speak at the opening session of the SNAMMM. Other speakers include Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
Seguis said the NAM member-countries that will be sending their foreign ministers to head their respective national delegations are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Singapore, Sudan, Suriname, Timor Leste, and Zimbabwe.
NAM member-countries that will be sending deputy ministers are Bahrain, Cuba, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tanzania, and Yemen.
Other NAM member-countries that will be sending high-level representatives to the SNAMMM are Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Chile, Comoros, Cote d' Ivoire, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Panama, Peru, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
NAM observer-countries Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia will be represented by their foreign ministers while El Salvador and Kazakhstan will be represented by deputy ministers. Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Croatia, and Mexico will be sending representatives to the meeting along with representatives from NAM member organizations Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Non-NAM member and observer countries which will be attending as guests include Albania, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. The European Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) will also be sending representatives to the meeting.
Seguis said a civil society event called the "International Workshop of Faith-Based Groups and Civil Society: Strengthening Partnerships with Governments on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation" will take place on March 16.
A photo exhibit highlighting Philippine-Australia partnership on interfaith cooperation will be opened on March 17.
