Isla Margarita, Venezuela - The high-level session of the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) began today with calls to defend fundamental rights such as social justice and peace.

The Heads of State and Government will assess until tomorrow morning the current regulations and guidelines of NAM, the second largest international organization with 120 country members following only the United Nations, to be chaired by Venezuela until 2019.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told the press accredited that the importance of this organization remains as relevant today as 55 years ago, when it was founded.

Meanwhile, Vice president of Venezuela Aristobulo Isturiz said that holding this Summit in Isla Margarita, in the island state of Nueva Esparta, represents a new launch for the liberation struggles of the peoples.

He also referred to the history of the Non-Aligned Movement marked by great people, among whom he highlighted Fidel Castro, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.

A letter sent to the forum by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was issued at the Conference Center Hugo Chavez, where the plenary sessions are held.

In the letter, which was read by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, Russia expressed its support for consistent, positive and unifying agenda based on the principles of the UN Charter, which seeks to make better the situation in the world.

A session of the NAM Committee on Palestine was also held in the summit and a statement to support the Arab people suffering the consequences of the illegal Israeli occupation was passed.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will open today the sessions with a report on the activities of NAM during his temporary presidency, while handing over the chair to his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, who will lead the organization for three years.

The Heads of State and Government will also receive a message from UN Secretary General and representatives of multinational organizations such as the Group of 77+China, as well as others from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

Tomorrow, after the assessment and approval of the final statement of the Summit, the so-called Declaration of Margarita will be issued, which will mark the official closing of the meeting started on Tuesday in its high-level sessions.