House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani attends the inauguration of the establishment of the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the sidelines of the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Madrid, Spain. Photo:Dok/rni

House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani on Sunday (28/11/2021) attended the inauguration of the establishment of the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the sidelines of the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Madrid, Spain. The event was held by Azerbaijan, the incumbent chairmanship of NAM. The purpose of the parliamentary network forum, which was established on NAM's 61st anniversary, is to build a more inclusive NAM and provide a framework for cooperation for the benefit of the people represented by the world parliaments.

Maharani also delivered a speech at the inauguration held at the Hotel Riu Plaza Espana, Madrid, Spain. "The spirit and value of the Non-Aligned Movement such as equality, as enshrined in Bandung Conference in 1955, which was more than 60 years ago, are still relevant to today’s global dynamics context," she said.

In her address, Maharani mentioned Indonesia's first president Sukarno who initiated the establishment of NAM. Some delegates, including IPU President and Azerbaijani parliament leaders, were said to have expressed their appreciation to Maharani and Sukarno for their respective roles. "It was President Sukarno, my grandfather, together with other founding fathers who initiated this movement. To address the inequity and gaps, we need concerted efforts."

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said parliaments as the representation of the people should play a bigger role, saying it might provide a framework of cooperation so that the NAM could build a closer relationship with the people and articulate international commitments to the local community. "Through parliamentary partnership, parliaments will be able to encourage their respective governments to provide equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The spirit of Bandung Conference is still relevant to the present day to address global challenges, including to accelerate the economic recovery and the achievement of SDGs," she said. (eko/sf-mut)