(VOVworld) - The 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit opened on Saturday (local time) in Margarita Island, Venezuela.

Delegates to the NAM Summit pose for a picture (Photo: EPA/VNA)

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh was among the participants, including 22 presidents and prime ministers, 11 vice presidents and deputy prime ministers, heads of delegations, observers, and guests. Mr. Minh delivered a speech at the first round of discussions. He said over the past 55 years, the Non-Aligned Movement has contributed the struggles for peace, national independence, and development. He called on the Movement to consolidate unity and respect founding principles, including peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, implement the 2030 UN Agenda for sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. He also urged for further South-South, trilateral, and sub-regional cooperation, ensuring more democratic and equal global management mechanism with the practical involvement of NAM member countries.

At the meeting, ASEAN countries called for acknowledgment of new development in Southeast Asia, such as the formation of the ASEAN Community and expressed concerns over the East Sea issue. They asked NAM to continue its support for implementation of Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and prompt completion of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.