Egypt is hosting the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (Nam) summit in Sharm el-Sheikh over the next few days.

The global financial crisis, terrorism, increased co-operation with China, the continued Israeli occupation of Arab territories, Palestine, food security and female empowerment top the agenda.

A document called the "Declaration of Sharm el-Sheikh" outlines actions to be taken in the coming three years during Egypt's presidency of the organisation.

With 118 member states, and 15 observer states, the Nam represents two-thirds of the members of the United Nations, and more than half of the world's population.

But how relevant is the group today? And with limited power, has it become an international speaking forum for developing nations?

Inside Story discusses with guests: Timothy Lynch, a senior professor of US foreign policy at the University of London's Institute for the Study of the Americas, Hans Koechler, the president of International Progress Organisation, and Gamal Abdul Gawad, a security analyst at the al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Wednesday, July 15, 2009.