105 countries to send reps to interfaith meet in Manila

At least 105 countries will be represented in the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in Manila from March 16 to 18. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, who is also NAM National Organizing Committee Secretary General, said the SNAMMM highlights the Philippines' leading role in interfaith dialogue worldwide. "The SNAMMM is the biggest inter-governmental meeting in recent years, and the first of its kind ever to be hosted by the Philippines. It aims to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation to cultivate a culture of respect, tolerance, understanding and harmony among people of different faiths, cultures and religions," Seguis said in an article on the DFA website. It said over 105 delegations have already confirmed their attendance in the SNAMMM, to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center, including 24 foreign ministers and 19 deputy ministers from NAM member and observer countries and guest organizations. President Arroyo will give a keynote address on March 17. Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, meanwhile will be the Guest of Honor and is expected to speak at the Opening Session of the SNAMMM. Other speakers include Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. Seguis said the NAM member-countries that will be sending their foreign ministers to head their respective national delegations are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Singapore, Sudan, Suriname, Timor Leste and Zimbabwe. NAM member-countries that will be sending deputy ministers are Bahrain, Cuba, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tanzania and Yemen. Other NAM member-countries that will be sending high-level representatives include Chile, Korea, Kuwait, Peru, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam. NAM observer countries Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia will be represented by their foreign ministers while El Salvador and Kazakhstan will be represented by deputy ministers. Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Croatia and Mexico are also sending representatives to the meeting along with representatives from NAM member organizations Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Non-NAM member and observer countries that will be attending as guests include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the United States. The European Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will also be sending representatives to the meeting. Seguis said a civil society event called the "International Workshop of Faith-Based Groups and Civil Society: Strengthening Partnerships with Governments on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation" will also take place on March 16. In line with this, a photo exhibit highlighting Philippine-Australia partnership on interfaith cooperation will be opened on March 17.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV