Non-Aligned Movement – Challenges & Relevance – Explained Pointwise

2025 marks the 70th anniversary of 1st Asia-Africa Summit, popularly called as Bandung Conference, which laid the foundation of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).  The Asia-Africa Summit gave birth to a new paradigm of South-South Cooperation. It demonstrated the need for the Global South to work together to champion its collective aspirations on the world stage.
However, due to shifting global landscape, divergent national interests, rise of alternative platforms, lack of leadership & inaction – questions have been raised about whether NAM is still relevant today or not.

What is NAM?

NAM was a started during the cold war as an organization of States which were recently got liberated & that didn’t seek to formally align themselves with either USA (representing capitalist bloc) or USSR (representing socialist bloc) or their ideologies, but sought to remain independent or neutral. However, it doesn’t mean that the countries committing to NAM will not take any advantages from either USA or USSR but means that they will not going to have any ideological commitments.
The movement originated in 1955 during ASIA-AFRICA CONFERENCE in Bandung – where 29 newly independent Asian & African countries met – which led to the development of a Global South. The Organization came into existence in 1961 with BELGRADE CONFERENCE under the leadership of India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Ghana & Indonesia.
Policy of non-alignment was based on 5 principles called PANCHSHEEL:

• Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity & sovereignty.
• Non-interference in each other’s military & internal affairs.
• Mutual non-aggression
• Equality & mutual benefit
• Peaceful coexistence & economic cooperation

What are the challenges faced by NAM?

1. Losing relevance: NAM is based on the philosophy of non-alignment which is rooted in the legacy of colonialism & ideology of cold war. With the end of the cold war & changing world order- NAM is seem to be losing its relevance.

2. Internal Cohesion and Divergent Agendas: NAM’s membership is large and diverse, encompassing countries with vastly different political systems, economic interests, and foreign policy priorities. This diversity leads to difficulties in achieving unity and taking decisive action on global issues. While agreement on broad principles is common, consensus on specific international issues is rare, often resulting in only general statements rather than concrete resolutions or collective action.

3. Fragmentation and Leadership Vacuum: The breakup of key founding states (e.g., Yugoslavia) and the lack of strong, natural leaders today have weakened NAM’s influence. Some major members have shifted their focus to other alliances or regional groupings. The movement lacks charismatic or widely accepted leaders who can steer its agenda in the current multipolar world.

4. Perceived Lack of Impact and Action: NAM is often seen as reactive rather than proactive, preferring criticism or support over hardline resolutions or interventions. Its impact on pressing global issues, such as conflicts, nuclear disarmament, and economic reform, is perceived as limited. The movement’s calls for nuclear disarmament and equitable international economic structures have not yielded substantial results, leading to questions about its effectiveness.

5. Emergence of alternative platforms: Alternative platforms like BRICS, SCO, G20 etc have emerged with overlapping agendas- reducing the need & scope for NAM.

What is the contemporary relevance of NAM?

1. NAM Principles: The core principles that catalyzed the coming together of leaders of developing world in 1955, i.e. Panchsheel, are equally relevant even today. These principles are required to uphold & defend the rules-based global multilateral system which is under siege today & UN in its present form – has become highly inadequate to address the global challenges.

2. Representation and Voice for the Global South: NAM is the second largest grouping of states after the United Nations, comprising 120 member countries and representing nearly two-thirds of UN members and over half of the world’s population. It continues to serve as a collective voice for developing nations, advocating for their interests in global forums, especially at the United Nations.

3. Advocacy Against Neo-Colonialism and Western Hegemony: In the post-Cold War era, NAM has repositioned itself to confront what it perceives as Western dominance and neo-colonialism, focusing on the marginalization and exploitation of poorer nations in a unipolar world. The movement opposes foreign occupation, interference in internal affairs, and aggressive unilateral measures by powerful states.

4. Focus on Socio-Economic Challenges: NAM has shifted its agenda toward addressing economic underdevelopment, poverty, and social injustices, which it identifies as major threats to peace and security for its members. It plays a role in promoting economic cooperation, equitable development, and the reduction of global inequalities, particularly those exacerbated by globalization and neo-liberal policies.

5. Promotion of Multilateralism and Peace: The movement remains committed to principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, non-interference, and disarmament. NAM actively supports multilateral approaches to global challenges, including nuclear disarmament, regional security, and the strengthening of international law.

6. Platform for Unity and Coordination: NAM provides a forum for developing countries to coordinate their positions on major international issues, enhancing their bargaining power in negotiations with developed nations. It is especially active within the UN system, where NAM countries often debate and advance common positions on issues like development, climate change, and reform of international institutions.

Conclusion:
The Global South has to be at the forefront of shaping the evolving multipolar world to ensure it is focused on a fair, just, inclusive & equitable global community. In this scenario, NAM remains relevant in 2025 as a vital platform for the Global South, championing multilateralism, socio-economic justice, and resistance to global power imbalances. While it faces challenges of cohesion and influence, its advocacy for equitable development and international cooperation continues to resonate for many member states.