Reminds The Bandung Conference Commitment At The IPU Session, Puan Invites NAM Countries To Fight For Palestine's Independence

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani delivered a speech at the inauguration forum for the formation of the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Madrid, Spain.

The NAM parliamentary network forum was only formed after NAM was 61 years old with the aim of making NAM more inclusive and its cooperation more directly felt by the people represented by parliament.

Puan said the spirit and values of the Non-Aligned Movement, such as equality which was enshrined in the Bandung Conference in 1955, are still relevant in the context of today's global dynamics.

“It was President Soekarno, who happened to be my grandfather along with other founding fathers who initiated this movement. The struggle to fight injustice and inequality requires joint efforts,” said Puan at the Inauguration meeting of the Parliamentary Network of NAM which was held at the Riu Plaza Espana Hotel, Madrid, Spain, Sunday, November 28, local time.

According to Puan, parliament can bring cooperation to bring NAM closer to the community and bring international commitments to the local level. Through cooperation, she said, parliaments could encourage their respective governments to promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

"The spirit of the Bandung Conference is also still relevant to overcome various global challenges, including in accelerating economic recovery and achieving the SDGs," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also expressed her commitment to supporting Palestinian independence. Puan invites NAM countries to participate in fighting for the commitments that have existed since the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement in Bandung in 1955.

She emphasized that the independence of Palestine is part of the common struggle since the Bandung Conference which has not been realized. Therefore, said Puan, NAM countries need to support Palestinian independence.

"The principle of the Bandung Conference has mandated the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement to support Palestine in their struggle for justice," continued Puan.

Puan assessed that the Non-Aligned Movement had the potential for strength considering the large number of members of the country. According to her, this can make a significant contribution in efforts to resolve various global issues.

“However, we must translate this potential power into a positive influence that can make a real contribution. This requires all of us to be solid and work together in unity,” said Puan.

Puan added that the parliamentary network is important in order to consolidate relations between the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement. She encouraged NAM countries to work together to use this network as a platform to strengthen the cooperation of the Non-Aligned Movement in joint efforts to build a more equal world.

"I also want to express my appreciation to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting this important meeting on the sidelines of the 143rd IPU Session," said Puan.