The present reality, in which the world peace and stability are being disturbed due to the ever-growing moves of the dominationists to realize their ambition to hold hegemony, demands more urgently the unity and cooperation of the independent forces.

The recent foreign ministers’ meeting of the Non-aligned Movement held in Uganda discussed as an important agenda item the issue of strengthening unity and cooperation among countries aspiring after independence and justice.

The heads of the delegations of the NAM member states in their speeches at the meeting emphasized the need for the NAM member states to unite as one and fulfil their responsibilities and role in establishing a just, fair and equal international order, struggle against unilateral sanctions against developing countries and actively maintain multilateralism. They unanimously noted that all countries should remain faithful to the Bandung principle, the UN Charter and international law, whose main points are the defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity, promotion of equality, mutual respect, non-interference in others’ internal affairs, promotion of mutual interests and cooperation and respect for justice and international obligations, and strictly observe them.

Not only the NAM member states but also representatives of the observer countries of the movement participating in the meeting voiced their demand that they should aspire after independence and justice and defend the interests of the developing countries on the strength of unity and cooperation.

Last year bilateral and multilateral cooperation and exchanges were enhanced among different countries.

Russia is pushing ahead with the construction projects of nuclear power plants and providing technical services in several countries. The memorandum of understanding, finally signed by the contracting parities of Rosatom state-owned nuclear power company of Russia and the energy ministry of Niger, specified the content of cooperation in the fields of power generation, nuclear medicine and education.

Russia also adopted the documents on collaboration for the construction of nuclear power infrastructure for peaceful purposes with Egypt and Burkina Faso.

Early last year Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed to set up a joint business council for the development of trade between the two countries.

Cambodia and Singapore decided to expand cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture and others and Tunisia and Oman in various fields, including security, public health and education.

India and Qatar agreed to double the amount of bilateral trade in the next five years and are implementing the agreement, while Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are strengthening cooperation in various fields such as clean energy, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical production and development of medical technology.

Meanwhile, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other central Asian countries are intensifying cooperation in the fields of trade, transport, agriculture, environmental protection, processing industries, science and technology, resource development and others.

Cooperation among African countries is very noticeable.

It is the common understanding of African countries today that as they have limitless development potentials such as rapid population growth, extensive land under plough, abundant minerals and vast renewable energy resources, they can support and promote sustainable development by their own efforts and to this end they should foster cooperation and unity.

The second African climate summit held in Ethiopia stressed the need for the whole African continent to unite and play an active role in tackling global challenges.

African countries are now strengthening cooperation and promoting development in a wide range of fields. They actively speed up integration, while widely encouraging economic exchanges within the already established frameworks, such as the African continental free trade area and the south African development community, and enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The international efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth through multilateral collaboration and cooperation have been stepped up with each passing day.