United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to reject extremism as some 120 delegates from more than 80 countries gathered Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) for the two-day Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development (SNAMMM).

In a video message at the opening of the SNAMMM, Ban said more needs to be done to promote a culture of peace around the world.

“To all members of the Non-Aligned Movement, I say we need to do more. We need to reject extremism. We need to counter those who polarize and distort all who humiliate and manipulate our electoral aims. We have had enough mutual suspicion and fear,” Ban said.

“The wonderfully diverse members of your movement can do much to forge greater understanding, and that understanding can be the foundation for a better future and a world of peaceful coexistence,” he added.

Ban likewise urged NAM member countries to promote dialogue “wherever it is needed,” saying that a lot of NAM states have experiences in bridging religious differences.

“Peace, development and human rights all depend on mutual understanding and respect,” Ban said.

At the opening ceremonies last Wednesday, the Philippines assumed chairmanship of the SNAMMM, represented by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto Romulo.

As the new chairperson of the SNAMMM, Romulo called on all NAM member countries to build stronger and wider bridges for interfaith dialogue, cooperation and peace.

“We have come together in the true spirit of multilateralism to send a message to all the peoples of the world. We are here to say we want peace - not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow but today and in our lifetimes. And we are here to say we can achieve this peace,” Romulo said.

According to Romulo, interfaith is an “emerging field of diplomacy.” He said interfaith dialogue is a powerful tool to address misunderstanding, intolerance and lack of respect of different religions and civilizations.

“We are assembled here in Manila to chart an approach to global, regional, bilateral and national peace and development through interfaith dialogue and cooperation, a social transformative process that will gain its roots in the hearts and minds of our generation and future generations,” he said.

Prior to the turnover of the SNAMMM chairmanship to the Philippines, outgoing NAM chairman Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk of Egypt lauded the Philippines’ commitment to the promotion of international peace and security.

“The Philippines has played a fundamental role over the years in furthering respect of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and those of the Movement,” he said.

“Maintaining peace and stability requires concerted efforts at the national and international levels that complement each other, through spreading the culture of peace. Disarmament efforts could not achieve comprehensive and durable peace alone, unless carried out in tandem with national and regional efforts to eliminate inequalities and uproot the causes of tension,” he added.

The Philippines is hosting the two-day SNAMMM, attended by about 129 delegates. The NAM, of which the Philippines is a member, is composed of 118 member states and represent two-thirds of the members of the United Nations.

Last Wednesday’s opening ceremony was attended by President Arroyo as well as United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki.