Non-Aligned Movement Summit Kicks Off in Venezuela

Heads of state and representatives of 120 nations are in Venezuela’s Margarita Island for the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which kicks off Tuesdayas the global body focuses on the promotion and defense of world peace, one of the fundamental principles of the movement.

IN DEPTH: Non-Aligned Movement

With the slogan "United on the Path for Peace,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez gave the the inaugural speech as her country assumes the organization's rotating presidency for the next three years after taking over from Iran.

With 120 member states, the NAM is the second largest international body after the United Nations. It has 53 members from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 17 observer countries and 10 observer organizations.

The summit, which ends on Sept. 18, will have meetings scheduled in three consecutive segments: meeting of senior officials, foreign ministers meeting, and a conference of heads of state and government.

Heads of state and representatives of 120 nations are in Venezuela’s Margarita Island for the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which kicks off Tuesdayas the global body focuses on the promotion and defense of world peace, one of the fundamental principles of the movement.

Non-Aligned Movement 2016 Summit

As the Non-Aligned Movement prepares to meet in Venezuela for its 17th Summit, the founding principles of the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist group seem more relevant than ever as Western neo-colonial policies continue to affect people around the world.