28 September 2007… Egypt participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, which was held in Iran on September 3rd and 4th, as called for by the 14th NAM Summit. The Egyptian delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations and Agencies Affairs, Ambassador Naela Gabr. The meeting discussed the means of enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights. An unofficial seminar was held on the sidelines of the General Session of the Ministerial Meeting, and issued a paper that included the adoption of the principals of dialogue, tolerance and acceptance of the other, as well as acknowledging the cultural diversity and respecting it at the national and international levels, in addition to the necessity of practicing the “Right to Development”. The meeting issued a final statement affirming the importance of pursuing convergence between peoples and nations within a framework of tolerance and acceptance of the other, and dealing with all the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural human rights, and right to development in a balanced manner, as well as acknowledging that the universality of human rights should not ignore the cultural particularities of various communities. The statement criticized the politicization of the human rights issues, double standards and selectivity in dealing with them. The statement also outlined the need to confront the negative impacts of globalization, renounce hatred and racism, and the necessity of encouraging dialogue between various cultures and civilizations. Egypt's participation in this meeting reflects its pioneering role within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, and in the field of human rights and cultural diversity, as well as the Egyptian keenness on achieving convergence between nations and peoples.