The bureau has also circulated the request of the WPC to be offered NAM observer status since July 6.

The bureau recommended that the summit endorse the applications of Argentina and the WPC.

The NAM groups 118 member states, including 53 from Africa, 38 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and one from Europe (Belarus).

It represents nearly two-thirds of the United Nations' members, particularly developing countries, and comprises 55 percent of the world population.

The movement now has 16 observer countries and nine observer organizations.

Argentina is the second largest country in South America and eighth in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico, Colombia and Spain are more populous.

It is currently classified as an upper-middle income country or as a secondary emerging market by the World Bank. Argentina is also one of the G-20 major economies.

The WPC was formed in 1949, replacing the permanent committee of the World Peace Congress, in order to promote peaceful coexistence and nuclear disarmament.

The WPC was especially active in the areas bordering U.S. military installations in Western Europe, believed to house nuclear weapons. It waged large campaigns against U.S.-led military operations, especially against the Vietnam war.

The WPC had its headquarters in Helsinki of Finland until the 1990s when the Council moved to Greece. In the past, the WPC awarded the International Peace Prize.

In May 2004, the council held its world congress in Athens attended by representatives of 100 peace groups from around the world. The 2008 world congress of the council was held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas from April 8 to 13. The 2008 congress showed a greatly increased membership of WPC with more than 120 peace groups from 76 countries in attendance.