TEHRAN DECLARATION

We, the Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, gathered
at our XVI Conference held in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 30-31
August 2012, undertook a review of the international situation with a
view to making an effective contribution to the solution of the major
problems of concern to all NAM Member States and to entire Humankind,
and,

Inspired by the vision, principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned
Movement, articulated in Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961), and guided
by the Declaration of Purposes and Principles in our efforts to achieve a
world of peace, equality, cooperation and well-being for all, drawing upon
the Movement’s experience in the past and its great potential today,

Reaffirming the lasting validity and the continuing relevance of the NAM
vision, principles and objectives in the contemporary international situation,

Strengthened by our past achievements in the struggle against imperialism,
colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid and all forms of foreign
intervention, interference, aggression, occupation, domination or hegemony,
and staying away from power alliances and their confrontations, continue to
be fundamental elements in the policy of non-alignment,

Renewing our commitment to the NAM principles and objectives and our
pledge to strive to make a constructive contribution towards building a new
pattern of international relations based on the principles of peaceful coexistence,
cooperation among nations and the right to equality of all States,

Continuing to uphold the principles of sovereignty and the sovereign
equality of States, territorial integrity, self-determination and nonintervention
in the internal affairs of any State; taking effective measures for
the prevention and suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of
peace, to defend, promote and encourage the settlement of international
disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and
security, and justice, are not endangered; refraining in international relations
from the threat or use of force against territorial integrity or political
independence of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the
purposes and principles of the UN Charter,

Declare that:

1-To build a fair, inclusive, transparent and effective system of joint global
governance, based on justice and equitable participation of all countries and

to address present challenges and risks stemming from global security
threats, environmental hazards, climate change, migration, contagious
diseases, extreme poverty, among others, the NAM Member States should
coordinate their positions and join force in pressing on the interests of the
developing world.

To do so, a number of priorities are as follows:

  • a.
    Global governance is broad in scope and encompasses many issues of
    global interest and concerns than merely economic issues. The world
    faces challenges in security, social and environmental fields.

International peace and security still continue to be high on the
priority scale of many countries. The current international decision-
making architecture in the fields of peace and security is outdated and
much more resistant to any change.

  • b.
    The United Nations as the universal and inclusive multilateral body
    should play a fundamental role in the institutional and legal
    framework of global governance. Thus, the United Nations could and
    should have a major role in efforts undertaken to find common
    solutions to common problems, including a coordinating role among
    all international and regional agencies. Nonetheless, for the UN to
    remain at the forefront of any discussion on global governance, focus
    should further be on its strengthening and modernizing. Towards this
    end, it is especially essential to revitalize the UN General Assembly,
    including in the area of international peace and security, and reform
    the UN Security Council to reflect the realities of today’s world.
  • c.
    The growing importance of developing countries is yet to be
    sufficiently reflected in the governance structures of existing
    international key decision-making bodies. Key decisions concerning
    the issues of global governance can no longer be the preserve of a small group of countries. Policies are being made across a broadening
    range of issues, which affect all in world politics. Thus, it is
    imperative that developing countries could have a greater voice and
    participation in the major institutions, which coordinate policies at the
    international level.
  • d.
    Crises in the past several years have exposed the shortcomings and
    failures of international financial institutions, which adversely affect
    their ability to address crises and achieve adequate macroeconomic
    policy coordination. As they were established following World War
    II, they fail to address appropriately current World challenges and,
    therefore, adversely affect developing countries.
  • e.
    In the international community not every nation shares similar values
    and opinions. To live in peace and harmony the diversity within the
    global society should be acknowledged and respected. Thus, the
    attempts to impose values on other members of the international
    community should be thwarted.

2.
Occupation of Palestine lies at the heart of the protracted crisis situation in
the Middle East. Any solution to this crisis requires the termination of the
occupation, crimes and violations committed by Israel, the occupying
power, restoration of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-
determination and the establishment of their independent and viable State of
Palestine with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. The restoration of the
national rights of the Palestinian people is a basic prerequisite for the
establishment of an equitable, comprehensive and lasting peace in the area.

3.
Racism and racial discrimination are affronts to human dignity and
equality, and the resurgence of contemporary and new forms of such
abhorrent crimes in various parts of the world is a matter for grave concern.

Thus, it is imperative to address with greater resolve and political will all
forms and manifestation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance including new forms of slavery and trafficking in
persons, wherever they occur.

4.
All human rights are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and human
rights issues must be addressed through a constructive, non-confrontational,
non-politicized, non-selective and dialogue-based as well as cooperative
approach, in a fair, equal and balanced manner, with objectivity, respect for
cultural diversity and national sovereignty and territorial integrity, noninterference
in the internal affairs of States, taking into account the political,
historical, social, religious and cultural particularities of each country.
Special attention should be paid to the rights of the youth and women and
the way be paved for building capacity in this respect and facilitating their
participation in the politico-social and economic processes.

5.
Nuclear weapons are the most inhumane weapons ever conceived. The
maintenance of strategic and tactical nuclear stockpile and their continued
modernization, as well as new military doctrines setting the rationale for
their possible use, particularly against non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS),
represent the greatest threat to humankind. The Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT) did not provide a right for nuclear weapon states to keep their nuclear
arsenals indefinitely. States Parties to the NPT have obligations under
Article VI of the NPT to destroy all nuclear weapons within a time-bound
framework, which is yet to be fulfilled. It is imperative to conclude a
comprehensive convention on nuclear disarmament.

6.
All states should be able to enjoy the basic and inalienable right to the
development, research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination and in conformity with their respective
international legal obligations. Therefore, nothing should be interpreted in a
way to inhibit or restrict the right of states to develop nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes. States’ choices and decisions, in the field of peaceful
uses of nuclear technology and their fuel cycle policies, including those of
the Islamic Republic of Iran, must be respected.

7.
The inviolability of peaceful nuclear activities should be upheld and any
attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities operational or
under construction amounts to a serious danger to human beings and the
environment, and constitutes a grave violation of international law, of the
principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and of
regulations of the IAEA. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive
multilaterally negotiated legal instrument prohibiting attacks, or threat of
attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

8.
Non-Aligned countries agree to refrain from recognizing, adopting or
implementing extra-territorial or unilateral coercive measures or laws,
including unilateral economic sanctions, other intimidating measures, and
arbitrary travel restrictions, that seek to exert pressure on Non-Aligned
Countries – threatening their sovereignty and independence, and their
freedom of trade and investment – and prevent them from exercising their
right to decide, by their own free will, their own political, economic and
social systems, where such measures or laws constitute flagrant violations of
the UN Charter, international law, the multilateral trading system as well as
the norms and principles governing friendly relations among States; and in
this regard, they agree to oppose and condemn these measures or laws and
their continued application, persevere with efforts to effectively reverse
them and urge other States to do likewise, as called for by the General Assembly and other UN organs; agree to request States applying these
measures or laws to revoke them fully and immediately.

9.
All acts of terrorism, in all their forms and manifestations, wherever and by
whoever committed, are unequivocally condemned. All States should abide
by their international obligations in addressing the threat of terrorism, which
continues to adversely affect peace, security, stability and development of
many NAM countries. All victims of terrorism, including the Iranian
civilian researchers and scientists who have fallen victim to inhumane
terrorist campaign, deserve the deepest sympathy.

10. Dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations should be enhanced,
through supporting efforts made at the international level, towards reducing
confrontation, suppressing xenophobia and islamophobia, promoting respect
for diversity based on justice, fraternity and equality should be promoted,
and all attempts of uniculturalism or the imposition of particular models of
political, economic, social, legal or cultural systems should be opposed, and
promote dialogue among civilizations, culture of peace and inter-faith
dialogue, which will contribute towards peace, security, stability and
development.

11.The Non-Aligned Movement should mobilize all its capabilities in order to
implement the decisions of its leaders, as expressed in its documents.

Accordingly, the NAM should consider the possibility of creating necessary
mechanism with a view to following up on its decisions.

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