PM Delivers Maiden NAM Address in Cuba

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller on September 15, addressed her first Summit of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) in Havana, Cuba, since taking  office in March 2006.

            In her presentation, Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that poverty eradication was central to the social and economic development objectives of member countries.

            The Prime Minister said the NAM must ensure that the outcomes of major conferences and summits dealing with this subject, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), are implemented.

            "It is disturbing to note that the majority of developing countries that will fail to meet the MDGs by the        targeted date of 2015 are NAM member states. Poverty eradication cannot be achieved without firm commitment to realizing the advancement and empowerment of our women in the contribution to this agenda," Mrs. Simpson Miller stated.

            Citing some of the challenges faced by developing nations, the Prime Minister  noted that these included,   unilateral action, inequitable financial structures, threats to global governance, increasing pandemics, including HIV-AIDS; environmental degradation, resulting in global climate change; and marginalization of groups within developing societies, including the young people, women, the disabled, the poor, oppressed and dispossessed.

            The Movement, she said, must find new strategies, which would ensure positive results to the many challenges facing member countries. Mrs. Simpson Miller also emphasized that as the Movement celebrated its 45th anniversary, it must study the way it positioned itself in the decision-making process as it relates to the world.