Moscow (VNA)ജ – A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador to Russia and Azerbaijan Dang Minh Khoi attended the Summitof Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, held inBaku on March 2.

The summit, chaired by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, saw the participation of leaders, foreign ministers, andambassadors from NAM member countries as well as representatives frominternational organisations, observers, and guests of Azerbaijan that is takingNAM chairmanship. NAM member countries recognised the movement's contributions to COVID-19prevention and control. In the last three years, the pandemic haswidened the rich-poor gap, seriously affecting socio-economic development indeveloping countries, especially in Africa and small island countries.Furthermore, a third of the world's population has yet to receive the firstdose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, it is forecast that the world will notbe avoidable to new pandemics in the future, so humanity must prepare forpotential pandemics and possible consequences. As the consequences of the pandemic are increasinglymulti-dimensional, geopolitical tensions, global economic crisis, andnon-conventional challenges, the countries emphasised the role of multilateralcooperation in general and NAM in particular in post-pandemic recovery. Representatives from countries called for the lifting ofrestrictions on vaccine exports, strengthening health capacity building,sharing experiences, and transferring biotechnology. At the same time, theyreaffirmed their commitment to promote the 2030 Sustainable Development Goalsand highlighted the urgency of developing a vision and strategy for NAM toensure the common interests of member countries during the post-pandemicperiod. At the summit, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoishared Vietnam’s experiences in COVID-19 prevention and control as well aspost-pandemic recovery. He emphasised the country’s policies of putting people at thecentre and its duo goals for both disease control and socio-economicdevelopment. To promote post-pandemic recovery, Vietnam suggested that NAMcooperation in the coming time should strengthen solidarity based on respectingthe sovereignty and diversity of members, upholding the voice of members atinternational forums, promoting cooperation mechanisms within the NAM frameworkand implementing people-centered recovery policies, Khoi said. The summit was closed on March 3 with the issuance of a summarystatement of chairing country. Azerbaijan will continue to hold NAMChairmanship until the end of 2023 before handing it over to Uganda./.