NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia has affirmed its commitment to the goals and principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and in particular the need for a global united front in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

The Saudi commitment came at exceptional meeting of NAM countries at the UN, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dr. Khaled Manzlawiy, participated in the deliberations.

The Non-Aligned Movement is a forum of 120 developing states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. It is the largest grouping of states aside from the UN.

The meeting was chaired by Yashar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s permanent representative to the UN.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov provided a briefing about the recent escalation on the borders between his country and Armenia.

Group members also discussed topics of common concern and political challenges facing them.

The meeting was also attended by Faisal Al-Haqbani, the special political committee’s official from the Kingdom’s permanent delegation to the UN. — SPA