Committee set up to focus on NAM role in socio-economic issues

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) The government has set up a Special Committee to deliberate on how to bring focus of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) on economic and social issues relevant to developing countries as well as South-South Cooperation.

The Committee is headed by Dr. Arjun K. Sengupta, Chairman, National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector and Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.

The members of the Special Committee are: Mr C. R. Gharekhan, Former Permanent Representative to the UN and Special Envoy on Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Devaki Jain, Former Member, South Commission, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Director, International Council for Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Mr S. N. Menon, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Prof. Abhijit Sen, Member, Planning Commission and Mr Parthasarthi Shome, Advisor to the Finance Minister.

The Committee is likely to submit its report to the government by the end of next month, an official spokesman said here today.

As one of the founder members, India continues to be actively involved in the NAM, which provides a valuable forum for developing countries to articulate their views on a wide range of issues in a collective manner, and to find ways and means to further strengthen their cooperation.

''The NAM is the largest grouping of developing countries outside the United Nations. With rapid changes in the international environment, there has been a growing realisation among the member countries of the NAM to revitalise the Movement, making it a more effective voice of the developing countries. In this context, it is important to strengthen economic cooperation within NAM and also to pursue interests of its member countries by agreeing on common positions in the global arena,'' the spokesman said.

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