The Philippines was officially accepted as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement during the 10th NAM Summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 1992. Its ties with the organization go all the way back to the Bandung Conference when the country participated in the formulation of the “Ten Bandung Principles” which have evolved as NAM principles (see Backgrounder of NAM). Despite the prior exclusion of the Philippines due to its “special relationship” with the United States, it has always recognized the importance of the organization’s goals and aims. The principles and objectives of NAM echo the basic tenets of civil and political rights, which are cornerstones of the country’s foreign policy.

Following the end of the Cold War, there has been a rethinking on the continued existence and relevance of NAM. The Philippines recognizes that despite this, the group was still viable for it remains the biggest bloc of developing countries, speaking and deciding on their own without interference from the developed world. Some argue that with the demise of the Cold War, the North-South divisions have been put to sharper focus.

Since NAM is the only political forum exclusive to developing countries, it is believed that the strength of the developing countries when consolidated through close cooperation, may serve as an effective counterbalance to the North’s weighty economic and political influence.

President Fidel Ramos attended the 11th NAM Summit in Cartagena in October 1995 while Special Envoy of the President and Senate President Pro Tempore and Chairman of Committee Blas Ople attended the 12th NAM Summit in Durban in September 1998.

At the 13th NAM Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on 20-25 February 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited NAM’s continuing revitalization in the light of the multiple challenges of the new century. On the basis of mutual respect of sovereign states and a democratic system of international relations, President Arroyo called on the leadership of DPRK and Iraq to adhere to the principle of security without the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and to enable a peaceful settlement of their crises.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presence during the 14th NAM Summit in Havana in September 2006 was rather brief. Speaker Joe De Venecia took over as Head of Delegation and successfully conveyed to the meeting the desire of the Philippines to host a Special Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue as the country’s contribution to promoting peace and development.

At the 15th NAM Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 11-16 July 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined 125 other Heads of State/Government and Leaders, including those from 17 observer countries. In her Asian Group Statement as well as the Philippine Country Statement, she highlighted the need to cooperate on interfaith dialogue for peace and development, climate change, migration and development, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and global financial system reform.

The President highlighted the Philippine Government’s invitation for NAM members and observer countries to attend the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development to be held on 1-3 December 2009.

The Leaders adopted the documents endorsed by the preparatory Ministerial Meeting (13-14 July 2009), including the Final Document of the 15th NAM Summit, the Sharm El Sheik Declaration, Declaration on Nelson Mandela International Day, Special Declaration on the Need to Lift Embargo on Cuba, Declaration on Palestine, and the Sharm El Sheik 3-Year Plan of Action. The Leaders also took note of the Outcome Document of the First Ladies Summit.

Since then, the Philippines has called attention to the tendency of developed countries and some developing countries to look at migration with aversion, which poses a grave challenge to the rights of migrant workers. Time and again, the Philippines has encouraged countries to accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families as an affirmation of a real commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

In NAM, the Philippines is able to amplify its support for efforts to meet threats to international peace and security through dialogue, preventive measures and peace-making. Accordingly, international cooperation to fight terrorism should be in conformity with international law, particularly international human rights and humanitarian law. The Philippines, thus, echoes its commitment to safeguarding all human rights.

In 2005, the Philippines has emphasized the need to promote a culture of peace through inter-faith, inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue and cooperation.

Following the inclusion in the Final Document of the 14th NAM Summit of the Philippine hosting of a Special NAM Ministerial Meeting in 2009, the Philippines has consistently endorsed the institutionalization of interfaith dialogue as a mechanism for partnership with faith-based groups.