Minister of Foreign Affairs Delivers Iraq’s Speech on the Occasion of 60th Anniversary of founding of Non-Aligned Movement

On Monday, October 11, 2021, the Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein delivered Iraq’s speech at the meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement States and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding in the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

Hereunder is the full text of the speech:

His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Non- Aligned Movement

His Excellency President Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia.

Excellencies

Honorable delegates,

  Let me begin by extending my sincere appreciation to the Government of Serbia for the outstanding arrangements for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement and for the warm welcome and hospitality, and I am honoured to be here today to confirm my government’s continued commitment to the principles and objectives of the movement.

 Mr President,

 Over the past six decades, the Movement’s basic principles have represented firm pillars in the political, social and economic fields of several of our member States. These principles have helped us overcome enormous challenges, today reflected in our response to another serious challenge represented by the COVID-19 pandemic,  as the international cooperation and solidarity have proven to be the best solution to stand up to the challenges of the pandemic.

Mr President,

 Big challenges still lie ahead in light of the international situation, particularly with regard to the crises our region is witnessing, which necessitate concerted efforts to stop these menaces and resort to peaceful solutions. In line with this, Iraq is keen to be a stabilizer in its regional and international environment, and seeks to bring views together and works to find peaceful and sustainable solutions to regional crises through initiatives to maintain international peace and stability in our region, which has undergone wars and crises, the latest of which is the Baghdad Conference on Partnership and Cooperation, which enjoyed wide participation by the neighboring regional countries and produced important recommendations incorporated in the declaration of the Baghdad Summit.

Mr President,

Since 2005, Iraq has conducted five elections to elect the representatives of the people and the government. Democracy in Iraq is a new and fledgling experience, nevertheless, the democratic process has already expanded and deepened. Iraq has recently witnessed the biggest election process, where Hundreds of the United Nations Security Council.

I would like to seize this opportunity to extend my thanks to the United Nations Organisation, the European Union, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Also due thanks to all the countries that took part in sending monitors to Iraq.

Mr President,

 Terror continues its menace in pursuing its goal of fragmenting the unity of the society as well as its stability and security. Hence, my government affirms the renouncing of terrorism and extremism in all its forms and encourages a policy of tolerance. My country has sought to assume all its responsibilities and committed itself to the positive engagement on the national, regional and international levels to combat extremism, terrorism and violence and to confront hate speech and all resulting beliefs and terrorist acts. My government looks forward to further international support in the reconstruction of the affected areas as a result of the terrorist occupation of Daesh, and to respond to the urgent requirements to help Iraq enhance its capabilities and efforts in rebuilding its infrastructure, taking into consideration that the government has developed a comprehensive programme for the reconstruction of  the liberated areas, the repair of infrastructure and clearing the land mines and remnants of wars to ensure a safe and voluntary return of the displaced.

Mr President,

 My government recognizes the important relationship between peace, stability and development. Stability is a precondition for development. Sustainable development can only be achieved when there is a peaceful and stable environment through which we can renew our collective endeavour for peaceful coexistence, sovereignty and solidarity. It is therefore necessary that we maintain our unity, in our determination upholding respect to the rule of law for the international peace, security and stability. We also stress the importance of exchanging  the best practices and resources between one another and tackle conflicts and achieve sustainable development, so that we can create a peaceful world  in which peace and prosperity prevail for all peoples, and that these sublime goals can be realised by the movement by playing an effective and responsible role towards the international issues, most notably the issue of climate change and realising the goals of the sustainable development plan, and within only one decade left to achieve its goals. We should accelerate the implementation of the plan and build sustainable and resilient pathways to address the long-term development consequences.

 Accordingly, my government, in cooperation with the brotherly and friendly countries, seeks to implement the Paris Pact on climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve oil industry, and open up to the green economy.

Mr President,

 Iraq believes that nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to human survival, and Iraq, along with the countries of the movement, seeks through multilateral efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons to achieve international peace and stability.

Mr President,

 Since its establishment, the Non-Aligned Movement countries have faced a continuous struggle to ensure that peoples who are oppressed by foreign occupation and domination exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence. We reaffirm, Iraq’s fixed and consistent stand on the Palestinian cause and our support for the struggle of its people against illegal and provocative practices, and their right to resist the occupation, securing their right to self-determination and to have an independent State with the Holy City of al-Quds as its capital.

Mr President,

 There are still persistent differences between some of the movement’s countries without finding sustainable solutions, which led to accumulated government budgets allocated to armament and a slow achievement of the development objectives. Hence, Iraq would call upon the group of the countries of the movement to found a small group whose mission is to mediate and conduct diplomatic endeavors to resolve the differences between the countries of the movement peacefully, as these differences lead to weakening the movement’s role on the international and regional relations scene and lead to external interference in its internal affairs and therefore it might be deviated from its path and principles that it already adopted 60 years ago. Today we meet to confirm and implement these principles, as the past six decades have proven the importance of these principles adopted by the movement and which played a significant role in the history of international relations and foreign policies.

To conclude, allow me to highlight the importance of revitalizing our movement and restoring its pivotal role in the international arena, unifying its efforts and positions on various issues that concern our nations on the international arena, and giving priority to the language of dialogue.

May peace be upon you all.