Caracas, September 15 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he would propose to transform the Non-Aligned Movement into an international organization that defiantly says "no" to the new colonialism. 

His remarks come as heads of state and representatives of more than 120 nations are gathering on Venezuela’s Margarita Island for the 17th NAM Summit, in which the global body is working toward the promotion and defense of world peace, one of the fundamental principles of the movement. 

With the slogan "United on the Path for Peace,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez gave the inaugural speech Tuesday as her country assumes the organization's rotating presidency for the next three years after taking over from Iran. 

Delcy Rodriguez also said during the summit inauguration that her country will ratify the defense of the right of the people of the world to fight for peace and sovereignty.  The Venezuelan foreign minister said: "Emancipation, anti-imperialism and peace are the flags that define the XVII Non-Aligned Movement Summit."