Unaligned Nations Consortium

The Unaligned Nations Consortium (UNC or the Consortium) is an comprised of member states who are not aligned with or against major alliances of the planet of Anterra.

The UNC was established in 1976 as a response to the growth of major, international alliances, specifically the League of Free Nations, the International Movement for Socialism, the North-South Concordant, and ECOSEAS. The member states of the UNC seek to avoid being polarized to one alliance or another and wish to cooperate and collaborate with all nations on Anterra, regardless of their economic, military, political, or social policies.

The UNC Charter fully rejects the export of ideology and nation-building. Furthermore, it seeks to ensure the sovereignty and the territorial independence of all member states. The charter provides for cooperation amongst the member states but does not set out a formal, collective security arrangement. Member states are thereby not bound to act in support of another though through cooperation and diplomacy, the charter affords opportunities for unaligned nations to rally to the defense of one another in times of crisis. Additionally, the charter does not require one style of government over another and it encourages member states to have diplomatic and economic relations with all nations of the world, regardless of their membership in the UNC.

Organizational Structure and Membership
The Unaligned Nations Consortium has a very simplified structure, designed to facilitate a reduction in bureaucracy and a streamlined communications process. The main, decision-making both for the UNC is the General Assembly of the Unaligned Nations Consortium (GAUNC). Each member state appoints a single representative to the GAUNC who serves as that nation's voice within the UNC.

The UNC is headed by a chairman and the chairmanship rotates amongst the nations once every three years. The chairman is typically the head of state of the member state. There is a provision however for chairmanship to remain with a single nation for two, consecutive terms; however, doing so requires a vote and a two-thirds majority of the member states. It is a provision to assist the UNC in times of crisis. There are no provisions for chairmanship to remain with a member state for more than two, consecutive terms. Rotation is done by order of ascension into the UNC.

Any nation of the world may apply to join the UNC; however, they must meet a series of basic requirements. Member states are required to:


 * Respect the sovereignty and the territorial independence of all nations
 * Be independent of major alliances
 * Respect the right of each member state to defend itself singly or collectively
 * Abstain from the intervention and the interference in the internal affairs of another member state
 * Abstain from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial or political independence of another member state
 * Settle all international disputes by peaceful means within the General Assembly of the Unaligned Nations Consortium
 * Respect each other's international obligations

Policies and Ideology
The UNC consists of many governments with vastly different ideologies and systems and thus, the UNC does not favor one ideology or government system over any other. The UNC does not campaign for ideological or political change around the world, nor does it wish to support such measures. The UNC endeavors to be apolitical in the international world, focusing only on cooperation amongst its member states and other nations of the world.

Summits
The Unaligned Nations Consortium, while headquartered in Rugi, hosts major summits every three years, taking place when the chairmanship of the UNC rotates amongst the member states. Summits are held over a 6-day period (Monday to Saturday) in the member state holding the chairmanship. It is up to the specific member state to set the dates and provide the venue for the summit. All member states are invited and normally these summits are attended by the heads of state and/or government along with other governmental ministers or secretaries of the member states. During these summits, it is common to have not only meetings amongst the heads of state and/or government but also side meetings with government ministers or secretaries. There are provisions for emergency summits to be called but to date, one has not been called.

Current Members
The following countries are member states of the UNC, arranged by continent, showing their year of admission:

Artemia

 * 1) (1976)
 * 2) (1980)
 * 3) (1992)

Observers
The following countries and organizations have observer status:

Guests
There is no permanent guest status but often, several non-member states are represented as guests at summits. In addition, a large number of international organizations are typically invited as guests.

Former Members

 * 1) (1979-2015)
 * 2) (1976-2001)