Charles Owiredu
Ghana has called on the Non-Align Movement (NAM) to ensure universal adherence to principles and rules of international law.
Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey made the call in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Foreign Minister, Charles Owiredu, at the ministerial meeting of the NAM.
The meeting was held on Thursday, September 26, 2019, in New York, USA, on the margins of the UN General Assembly.
It was under the theme: “Upholding the Principles of Sovereignty and Political Independence as a Means to Maintain International Peace and Security and Foster Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States”
According to the Minister, Ghana remains committed to the 10 founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement and the attainment of the ideals and purposes of the Movement.
However, she stated that, “we believe that the NAM, which comprises over two thirds of the membership of the United Nations, has an important role to play in
fostering dialogue and international cooperation and in advancing fair and
equitable solutions that inure to a peaceful, secure and democratic world.”
The Minister told the gathering that peaceful coexistence of nations was impossible without universal, scrupulous and consistent application of the generally recognized principles and rules of international law.
She warned that the violation of its core principles results in the creation of situations threatening international peace and security.
Ghana, she said, was of the view that international law provides tools for achieving international justice, based on principles of good faith and sovereign equality.
“In that connection we call for universal adherence to principles and rules of international law in their interrelation and integrity, discarding the resort to”double standards” and avoiding placing interests of some countries above others,” according to madam Ayorkor Botchwey.
She therefore urged NAM to take the necessary steps to forge unity
among its member states and enhance their ability to provide stronger support for the UN as a universal multilateral organization entrusted with the mandate of helping the international community uphold the sovereignty and political
independence of States as well as maintain international peace and security, advance global development and promote and protect human rights.
Meanwhile, the Minister seized the opportunity to call for enhanced
trade relations among NAM states and for meaningful collaboration under
the aegis of South-South Cooperation as a way of fostering healthy social,
political and economic relations among member States.
“South-South Cooperation is playing a greater role than ever before in the development cooperation landscape. Innovation in the global South is generating new tools and partnerships for tackling issues of food insecurity, poverty reduction and sustainable agriculture,” according to her.
She emphasized that the South offers wide-ranging development solutions – knowledge, experiences and good practices, innovative policies, technology, know-how, and resources that have proven cost effective and have huge potential to be shared, adapted and adopted.
BY Melvin Tarlue