Latest Section Headlines for the Month:
ASEAN 'One Community' drive peaking in SE Asia
Manila (5 August) -- The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is determined to pursue the "one caring and sharing community" identity.
Aside from the ratification of its Charter by ASEAN's ten member countries, another demonstration of the collective decision is the Common Effective Preferential Tariffs- ASEAN Free Trade Area (CEPT-AFTA) which is now in effect. (+)
UN Secgen Ban Ki-Moon urges NAM member countries to forge greater understanding
Manila, PNA (17 March) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to do more in forging greater understanding that will lead to lasting peace.
"To all members of the Non-Aligned Movement, I say we need to do more. We need to reject extremism. We need to counter those who polarize and distort all who humiliate and manipulate our electoral aims. We have had enough mutual suspicion and fear. The wonderfully diverse members of your movement can do much to forge greater understanding, and that understanding can be the foundation for a better future and a world of peaceful coexistence," the UN Secretary-General said in a video message. (+)
PGMA to address SNAMMM on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation Wednesday
Manila, March 16 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will address on Wednesday the
Special Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development on Wednesday being held at the Philippine International Convention Center.
In the meeting being attended by representatives of the 118 NAM member countries, the President is expected to reiterate the Philippines' unwavering commitment in promoting lasting peace towards sustainable development. (+)
SNAMMM draft Manila Declaration deliberated for adoption by PrepSOM
Manila, March 16 (PNA) -- The Draft Manila Declaration was among so-called "consensual documents" prepared by the New York-based Coordinating Bureau (CoB) of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) turned over on Tuesday by CoB Chair, H. E. Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt, to Philippine Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda F. Basilio, marking the opening of the plenary sessions of the three-day Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) here.
Basilio has assumed the chairmanship of the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting (PrepSOM) of the SNAMMM on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development, and praised CoB for "having done a lot of preparation that makes (PrepSOM)'s job much easier to accomplish." (+)
Romulo: Long road to peace requires government-civil society partnership
Manila, March 16 (PNA) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo dared members of the civil society to think of innovative ideas that would boost government-civil society partnership in the promotion of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
Addressing over 70 participants from national, regional and international faith-based groups, civil society and academe, Secretary Romulo stressed the important role that civil society plays in the achievement of lasting peace. (+)