Recognise Palestinian statehood, Indonesia tells Non-Aligned Movement countries

Palestinian statehood should be accepted by every country belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international grouping of nations who do not side with any of the world's leading, most influential states.

Indonesian foreign affairs minister Retno Marsudi referenced the 1955 Asian-African Conference of countries who had largely just achieved self-rule, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Marsudi noted that among those present at the Bandung meeting, which proved vital for the NAM's creation, the Palestinian state is alone in remaining without independence.

"All the NAM members must recognise the state of Palestine, support the relaunching of credible multilateral negotiation[s] and ensure humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians," Marsudi said.

The minister's remarks came at the international body's Mid-Term Ministerial Conference, hosted digitally by Azerbaijan, which presently presides over the grouping.

In addition, Marsudi  raised the discrepancy in coronavirus inoculation between the richest and poorest states, with the majority of the former having immunised seven in 10 people.

Meanwhile, certain NAM nations are stuck under one in 10, she explained, relating that redressing this is the body's top concern.

Marsudi suggested the collective boost its cooperation with global vaccine partnership COVAX and particularly the "dose-sharing mechanism".

She also urged NAM countries to improve international ties to help rebuild finances following coronavirus.

The minister noted: "Indonesia is set to chair the G20 summit next year, and we will push this chance to advance the interests of developing countries".

Referencing the three concerns she raised, Marsudi tweeted: "NAM has the power of size and numbers. We can translate this power into positive influence [in] the world if we continue to work together and stay true to the Bandung Principles."

NAM has the power of size and numbers. We can translate this power into positive influence to the world if we continue to work together and stay true to the Bandung Principles - Ret

— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) July 14, 2021

The Badung Principles, agreed at the Asian-African Conference of 1955, include non-interference, equality and the non-violent resolution of disagreements.

The meeting also accepted a statement affirming the NAM's position on certain international concerns and gave the Russian Federation observer status, Anadolu said.

As a body, the NAM under Azerbaijan's leadership previously expressed its backing for Palestinian self-determination in 2019, the news agency reported at the time.