The modern industrial system based on cheap energy is on the way to destroying the very basis on which it was founded, and this should be a matter of serious concern for all of us, the non-aligned and developing nations, which constitute the vast majority of mankind. The time is ripe for evolving new patterns of consumption, and for designing new life, styles better suited to the hard facts of life of today and tomorrow. This cannot be achieved by marginal adjustments and half-hearted changes in politics and goals but only by the conscious, collective and co-operative efforts of all nations, rich and poor alike. Mahatma Gandhi had said long ago: "The earth has enough to provide for every man's need, but not for every man's greed." This is indeed a wise advice relevant for all times.
What are the real interests of the non-aligned countries? The economic situation of the non-aligned nations are not all the same. Some have thrown off the shackles of economic imperialism and emerged into a new era of independence and prosperity. Some others are still in the stage of asserting their sovereignty in full over their natural resources. There are also those who had won their political independence at immense sacrifice but over which they have no control and for which they have no responsibility whatsoever.
But all the non-aligned countries have one thing in common — they are struggling against neo-colonialism which has many faces in many parts of world, the most common feature of which is the creeping paralysis of non-co-operation by the developed nations.
These developed countries are saturated with wealth and yet they continue to base their policies on their own national interests. They have virtually rejected the new international economic order that was enunciated at the Sixth Special Session of the U.N. General Assembly, and this does not bode well for the future.
If the present situation were to continue unchanged, we shall see the rich nations getting richer and the poor nations poorer, while the earth's non-renewable resources rapidly disappear. The danger inherent in such a situation is not only confrontation between the rich and the poor, as is often suggested by the developed countries. It would also result in ruthless competition between the rich and the rich in their exploitation of the dwindling resources of the earth, while the poor nations stand by as spectators of this tragedy.
The question is, should we remain as idle spectators? The answer is clearly in the negative. We have also a responsibility for world peace and security as well as the obligation to see that the common heritage of mankind is not dissipated in any orgy of consumption by the few and the rich. Our diversity is indeed our strength, our vigilance is our security, and our solidary is the basis for our salvation.
What does non-aligned solidarity mean? It may mean different things to different states depending on their narrow national economic interest. But one thing should be clear — the chain is as strong as its weakest link. So also a group or a movement is as strong as its weakest component. Solidarity of our group depends on a set of obligations and duties and not only on national rights. It is the independence of non-aligned nations that is the bedrock of our solidarity, which was forged in the struggle against our common political and economic enemies.