RP postpones interfaith ministerial meet

MANILA, Philippines - The government has postponed the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development, which was to be held in Manila in December, because the government’s efforts and resources are still focused on rehabilitation after the series of deadly storms that hit the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

In a statement, DFA Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael Seguis said the decision was made after consulting partners in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) through Egypt, chair of the NAM Coordinating Bureau in New York and the member-state which chose the Philippines to host the SNAMMM in December.

NAM is a group of states that consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

“We believe all hands must be on deck in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the lives and communities of our countrymen. Therefore, all must focus their efforts and resources on this major and substantial task,” Seguis said.

“While we remain committed to the cause of peace through interfaith dialogue, our priority now should be the immediate and long term needs of our people,” he added.

Seguis said the SNAMMM will be held in the country next year.

“We are confident our partners and friends, who have been helping us in our hour of distress brought about by the calamities, will understand our decision to move the holding of the SNAMMM to an appropriate date next year,” he said.