Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : PUTRA WORLD TRADE CENTRE,
KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 25/02/2003
Tajuk/Title : THE CLOSING SESSION OF THE
XIII CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF STATE
OR GOVERNMENT OF THE NON
ALIGNED MOVEMENT
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
I am pleased that the XIII NAM summit has come to a
successful conclusion today. I would like to take
this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and
gratitude to all the heads of state and government for
their kind attendance at this summit meeting and for
their active participation in our deliberations. Their
constructive views and suggestions have been of
immense value to our meeting and to me personally.
2. I would also like to thank the Ministers, who in
their interactive sessions, had generated many
constructive ideas and suggestions on how best to
improve our Movement and to make it more effective and
efficient.
3. We have had an extremely useful exchange of
views, covering many subjects of importance to NAM,
particularly pertaining to the theme of the summit.
We have had the opportunity to take stock of the state
of our affairs and to begin the process of formulating
appropriate strategies for the future of our Movement.
4. We have made an objective and hard-headed
analysis of our contemporary world as well as of our
Movement. We are mindful that the world we live in
today is unipolar in character and is vastly different
from the multi-polar world of the founders of our
Movement.
5. It is clear that the relevance of NAM should no
longer be questioned. Indeed, the Movement has become
even more relevant today, for the protection and
promotion of the interests of the countries of the
south. It embodies our hopes and aspirations for
economic prosperity in a world that is peaceful,
secure and just.
6. It is also clear that the well-being of the world
will be better served by a strong multilateral system,
revolving around a United Nations that is more
representative and democratic, than a unilateral
system based on the dominance of one power, however
benign that power may be. In this regard, we are
resolved to give strong and sustained support to the
United Nations, for its future is linked with that of
the Non-Aligned Movement and multilateralism.
7. We have also noted the new challenges facing the
Movement. Among them is the threat of international
terrorism. We must play our part in the international
effort to combat this menace.
8. Another is globalisation and the efforts towards
integration of the developing countries into the new
political, economic and human global order that is
equitable, just and democratic.
9. Yet another is the revolution in the information
and communications technology that is rapidly changing
the world and widening the digital divide between the
developed and developing world.
10. In the face of all these challenges, it is
clearly in our interest to strengthen our unity and
cohesion and speak with one voice on issues of vital
importance to us. While we do not need to be
confrontational in our approach, there is also no need
to be subservient or defensive in our relations with
the developed countries.
11. All of these and other challenges require
appropriate and urgent responses, clear and pragmatic
strategies, and well-coordinated actions. Our overall
approach is a sound one and is consistent with the
principles of justice and democracy. we must
strengthen our unity and solidarity and expand our
cooperation in the political, economic, social,
cultural, scientific and technical fields.
12. I am particularly gratified that we have adopted
the "Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Revitalisation of
the Non-Aligned Movement". The declaration constitutes
an important blue-print for our collective action. It
provides clear guiding principles and practical action
plans, which will assist us in charting our course in
the coming years. We hope that with its
revitalisation, our Movement would be more pro-active
and responsive to the concerns and needs of member
states.
13. Although it is not a part of the NAM process I
would like us to note that the First-Ladies also held
a meeting to express among other things their
opposition to war as an instrument for achieving
political objectives.
14. Each and every NAM member has an important
responsibility and role to play in the revitalisation
of the Movement.
15. I am confident that with a new sense of awareness
of the continued relevance of NAM and the challenges
confronting it, we shall rise to the occasion. As the
new chairman of NAM, Malaysia looks forward to working
very closely with the other members to further enhance
the Movement's international profile and increase its
political and economic "clout" in global affairs.
16. In formally assuming the heavy responsibility of
the chair of the Movement, today, Malaysia trusts that
it will have the full and unstinted support of each
and every member of NAM. Once again, on behalf of
Malaysia, express our deep gratitude to the membership
of the Non-Aligned Movement for the honour accorded to
Malaysia and the confidence reposed in us to lead the
Movement for the next three, hopefully, fulfilling
years.
17. Last but not least, allow me to thank all those
involved in making this summit a success. To all the
heads of State and Government who have flown in from
all corners of the world, I would like to record my
warmest feelings of gratitude for your presence and
the ideas that you have contributed. To all other
dignitaries and delegates, I would like to thank you
for your cooperation and the flexibility shown during
the course of negotiations. Last but by no means
least, I would like to thank members of the
secretariat, interpreters, documentation officers and
other supporting staff, the Royal Malaysian Police and
Armed Forces and other Malaysian Government
departments and agencies for their roles in
facilitating the smooth and efficient running of this
six-day event.
18. With these words, I now declare the XIII Summit
of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned
Movement closed.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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