15th NAM summit opens in Egypt

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The 15th summit (首脑会议)of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) opened here Wednesday, seeking more solidarity¹ among developing countries to tackle major international and regional issues including the ongoing² world financial crisis.

Cuban President Raul Castro, chairperson of the 14th NAM summit, declared the opening of the 15th summit.

He proposed the summit to observe one minute of silence in memory of the NAM leaders who had passed away since the 14th summit.

During his speech, Castro said NAM has the conviction that all countries in the world should search for effective and justified³ measures to tackle the current financial crisis.

"The current crisis has originated from rich countries due to their unbalanced and unjust international economic system. We call for the renewal⁴ of the international financial system, based on the real participation⁵ of the developing nations," he said.

After the speech, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was elected by acclamation as chairperson of the 15th NAM summit.

Mubarak appealed for the construction of a new international political, economic and trade system, which is more balanced and equitable⁶.

"This summit is a good opportunity for dialogue," he said, adding that NAM members should make use of this summit to boost solidarity.

In his speech at the summit opening session, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "It is abundantly clear that no country, regardless of size or resources, can solve problems alone. That raises the stakes and the space for the Non-Aligned Movement to shape a better world."

"The NAM's long-standing commitment to development and social justice also resonates today as the world faces a severe economic and financial crisis," he said.

"We must counter this trend. Truly free and fair trade is crucial to stimulating⁷ recovery and spurring growth," he added.

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo⁸, Dominican President Leonel Fernandez and Belarussian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov delivered speeches respectively on behalf of the Group of77 and China, the African region, the Asian region, the Latin American and the Caribbean region, and the European region.

During the two-day summit, leaders of over 100 NAM member countries or their representatives will focus their debate on the summit theme of International Solidarity for Peace and Development.

They are expected to discuss hotspot topics such as the global financial crisis, climate change, the Mideast peace process, food security, energy and nuclear issues.

The leaders are also scheduled to sign the summit's Final Document and Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration, and approve the movement's strategy and action plan for the future three years.

Founded in September 1961, NAM now groups 118 member states, 16 observer countries and 9 observer organizations.

The movement, which represents nearly two-thirds of UN member countries and comprises 55 percent of the world population, focuses on striving for interests of developing countries all over the world.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

4 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

5 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

6 equitable   

adj.公平的；公正的

参考例句：

• This is an equitable solution to the dispute. 这是对该项争议的公正解决。
• Paying a person what he has earned is equitable. 酬其应得,乃公平之事。

7 stimulating   

adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的

参考例句：

• shower gel containing plant extracts that have a stimulating effect on the skin 含有对皮肤有益的植物精华的沐浴凝胶
• This is a drug for stimulating nerves. 这是一种兴奋剂。

8 arroyo   

n.干涸的河床，小河

参考例句：

• She continued along the path until she came to the arroyo.她沿着小路一直走到小河边。
• They had a picnic by the arroyo.他们在干枯的河床边野餐过。