The Non–Aligned Movement (NAM) is the second largest world body after the United Nations. The 15th Session of the UN significantly contributed to the formation of the movement. During its history of more than five decades, NAM has achieved its primary objective of balancing the superpowers and sustaining independent identity of its member nations but this achievement is yet to be sustainable in the present scenario.

The NAM is based on some fundamental principles such as global peace and disarmament, economic equality among nations, national independence and preservation of sovereignty, search for universalism and politico – cultural identity.

Many colonised countries gained independence through the continued support and proactive steps taken by NAM in the UN and its Trusteeship Council. It played a prominent role in liberating many countries in the African continent from colonial rules. Membership of UN grew dramatically as the newly independent countries started joining it overwhelmingly. The movement has failed in creating a new world order based on equality, peace and justice.

Though the number of conflicts in the developing world has significantly diminished after the end of the cold war, there still exist conflicts of different magnitudes.

Nepal is one of the founding members of NAM. The movement was launched in 1961. Nepal has been actively participating in all the activities of the movement. Though a small land-locked nation, Nepal has made substantial contributions to the promotion of the interests of the South. It had also extended its immediate support to the proposal of the New International Economic Order adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1974.

Nepal’s basic principl put forth at various non-aligned conferences is “Live and Let Live”. In almost all non-aligned summits, Nepal has consistently focused on disarmament and world peace.

Nepal’s high priorities on non-alignment are to seek reformation of the UN, setting up of a democratic and transparent international financial stature, global environmental protection, elimination of illiteracy, poverty, disease and destitution, opening up the markets and technology of the developed world to the developing ones. As per Nepal’s view, non-aligned nations should focus on delivery of good governance and development.