Pretoria - Foreign Affairs ministers of member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) will today meet in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to prepare for the 15th Summit of Heads of State and Government set for Wednesday and Thursday.
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will represent South Africa at the preparatory meeting, according to department spokesperson Nonfanelo Kota.
The ministers meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort, which will proceed until Tuesday, is expected to adopt "International solidarity for peace and development" as a theme for the debate.
The agenda also includes debates on the world economic and financial crisis.
"South Africa became a member of NAM in 1994 and participates in its meetings within the context of promoting South-South cooperation and advancing the interests of the developing countries on the global stage," explained Ms Kota.
On Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma is expected to represent South Africa in its conference of Heads of States and Government, spokesman Vincent Magwenya said.
Among the key issues to be discussed during the summit are the present global challenges and international developments in the sphere of peace and security, disarmament, climate change, human rights and rule of law, economic development and in particular the effects of the current global financial and economic crises on developing countries.
The 15th NAM Summit will be attended by 118 member states. At the summit, Egypt will replace Cuba at the helm of the movement.
The 14th summit was held in Havana with the adoption of five documents urging solidarity among member countries to better respond to global threats and challenges.
The five documents were the "Declaration on Purposes and Principles and the Role of NAM in Present International Juncture", "Final Document", "Document on Methodology Plan of Action", "Declaration on Palestine" and "Statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Nuclear Issue."
In this summit, the leaders are expected to adopt two main documents, namely the Final Document, which will outline the common position of the movement on various issues on its agenda, and the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration, which would focus on the development of the group itself.
Founded in 1955, the movement focuses on striving for the interests of developing countries all over the world. It represents nearly two-thirds of UN member countries and comprises 55 percent of the world's population.
NAM currently consists of 118 member states, 16 observer countries and nine observer organisations which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
