The Non-Aligned Movement remains a voice of reason and balance- M7

By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L.H.D, (Hon) & Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1409 EAT on Thursday 16 October 2025

Kampala, Uganda – The XIX Midterm Ministerial Review Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) officially opened on Wednesday at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda, convening foreign ministers, heads of delegations, and representatives from across the Global South. The high-level gathering aims to address pressing global challenges and reaffirm the Movement’s enduring commitment to peace, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development.

The session commenced with a solemn tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, who passed away earlier in the day. Delegates observed a moment of silence to honour his life and legacy as a distinguished Pan-African statesman and tireless advocate for unity and social justice across the continent.

In his opening remarks, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, warmly welcomed participants to Kampala and expressed gratitude for the confidence entrusted in Uganda as the current Chair of the NAM Coordinating Bureau.

“It is a great honour and privilege to welcome you to Kampala,” he said. “Your presence today reflects your unwavering commitment to the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement and the shared resolve of the Global South to confront today’s most urgent global issues through unity and collective action.”

Uganda Reaffirms Commitment to NAM Principles, Highlights Leadership Achievements

In his address, Gen. Odongo commended the Senior Officials of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for their tireless efforts over the previous two days, which culminated in consensus on a forward-looking outcome document. He emphasized Uganda’s unwavering commitment to upholding NAM’s founding principles and reinforcing unity amid today’s complex and evolving global landscape.

Since assuming the Chairmanship during the 19th NAM Summit in January 2024, Uganda has actively championed the Movement’s agenda through structured, high-level engagements at both ambassadorial and expert levels. These include regular coordination meetings in key diplomatic hubs such as New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and The Hague, ensuring NAM’s visibility and coherent participation across major United Nations bodies.

Under Uganda’s stewardship, NAM has played a critical role in shaping discussions at the UN Human Rights Council, particularly on issues such as Unilateral Coercive Measures, the Right to Development, and International Cooperation in Human Rights. Similar coordinated advocacy efforts have been extended to other global platforms—including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and various disarmament forums—further solidifying NAM’s position as the unified voice of the Global South on the international stage.

In a powerful reaffirmation of the Non-Aligned Movement’s core values, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, emphasized that Uganda’s leadership of NAM remains firmly anchored in the principles of equality, sovereignty, and solidarity that have guided the Movement for over six decades.

Addressing delegates at the XIX NAM Midterm Ministerial Review Meeting in Kampala, Gen. Odongo called on Member States to intensify South–South cooperation as a key driver of inclusive and resilient development. He cited the remarkable growth of intra-South trade, which expanded from $0.6 trillionk in 1995 to over $5.6 trillion by 2023. However, he noted that the majority of this trade remains concentrated within Asia.

“We must enhance cooperation between Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to fully realize the benefits of South–South trade,” he urged.

On the issue of Palestine, Gen. Odongo reiterated NAM’s principled and longstanding support for a Two-State Solution. He called for renewed international efforts to end the occupation and support the reconstruction of Palestinian institutions, affirming the Movement’s commitment to justice and self-determination.

Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and current Chair of NAM, opened with a philosophical reflection on the evolution of human society, highlighting the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping national destinies.

“We have two categories of problems in the world,” President Museveni stated. “The first is the oppression of man by nature—floods, droughts, and disease. The second, and perhaps more serious, is the oppression of man by man. Through knowledge and cooperation, we can overcome both.”

Using both historical and contemporary references, President Museveni underscored the interdependence of global economies and the urgent need for a more equitable distribution of wealth and technology. He pointed out that Africa’s collective GDP—approximately $4 trillion—is disproportionately low for a continent of 1.5 billion people. This, he argued, underscores the need for accelerated industrialization, technology transfer, and fairer global trade terms.

“The prosperity of one region must contribute to the prosperity of all,” he emphasized. “When others advance, we too should rise. The transformation of China, India, and other Asian nations lifted global demand and benefitted many regions. We must therefore not be selfish with progress but share it.”

Museveni reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)—sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference—as vital pillars of international cooperation amid growing global tensions.

The President praised NAM’s continued neutrality as a stabilizing force in an increasingly polarized world.

“The Non-Aligned Movement remains a voice of reason and balance,” he said. “It provides a platform for developing nations to advocate for peace, equity, and the right to development.”

President Museveni called for deeper collaboration among NAM Member States under Uganda’s Chairmanship theme, “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.” He emphasized that prosperity must be driven by regional integration, industrial innovation, and coordinated collective action.

With the world approaching the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development in 2026, President Museveni stressed the importance of NAM speaking with one voice to ensure that development is pursued equitably and sustainably. He also reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to leading global efforts toward a legally binding international instrument on the Right to Development.

The President’s remarks further solidify Uganda’s leadership role in championing Global South interests and promoting inclusive development through NAM.

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