Harare — FOREIGN Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbenge-gwi is in Iran attending the 15th Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Cde Mumbengegwi left the country for Teheran on Sunday.

The conference, which began yesterday, was preceded by a senior officials' meeting that ended on Monday.

It is expected to review progress in the implementation of the Plan of Action adopted at the 14th conference of ministers held in Havana, Cuba, in September 2006.

The ministers are expected to discuss globalisation, regional and sub-regional politics.

They will also look into development, social and human rights issues. The ministry said discussion on global issues follows the realisation that the processes of globalisation and trade liberalisation had produced uneven benefits among and within States.

It also comes at a time when the global economy has been characterised by slow and lopsided growth and instability.

"The conference will therefore address the concern that in its present form, globalisation is perpetuating or even increasing the marginalisation of developing countries," the ministry said.

On regional and sub-regional politics, the ministers will examine progress in the Middle East, African and Latin America regions.

They will also discuss specific topics on development, social and human rights issues including international migration, development, energy supply, fundamental freedoms and humanitarian assistance.

Cde Mumbengegwi is expected back home on Saturday.