President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially opened the XIX Midterm Ministerial Review Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo, reaffirming the solidarity of the Global South and the Movement’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
The high-level gathering has brought together foreign ministers, heads of delegations, and senior representatives from NAM Member States to deliberate on emerging global challenges and the future direction of the 63-year-old Movement.
Before proceedings began, delegates observed a moment of silence in honor of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, who passed away earlier in the day. Odinga was remembered as a Pan-Africanist and champion of unity and justice across the continent.
In his welcoming address, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude to delegates for their confidence in Uganda’s leadership as current Chair of the NAM Coordinating Bureau.
“Your presence today demonstrates your commitment to NAM’s mission and the determination of the Global South to address global challenges together,” he said.
Gen. Odongo praised the Senior Officials’ Meeting that preceded the ministerial session for producing a forward-looking outcome document. He reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to upholding NAM’s founding principles of independence, equality, and non-interference amid a rapidly changing international landscape.
Since assuming the Chairmanship during the 19th NAM Summit in January 2024, Uganda has strengthened NAM’s coordination and visibility through consistent engagement at the United Nations and other international fora in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and The Hague. Under its leadership, NAM has actively advocated on issues such as unilateral coercive measures, the right to development, and international cooperation within global institutions like the UN Human Rights Council, WHO, and ILO.
Odongo emphasized the need to deepen South–South cooperation, noting that intra-South trade has grown from $0.6 trillion in 1995 to over $5.6 trillion in 2023, though most of it 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.
He also reaffirmed NAM’s principled position on Palestine, calling for renewed efforts toward a Two-State Solution and reconstruction of Palestinian institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, President Museveni, who also serves as NAM Chair, offered a philosophical reflection on global progress, describing two main struggles of humanity — the oppression of man by nature and by man himself.
“Through knowledge and cooperation, we can overcome both,” he said.
Museveni stressed that science, technology, and equitable trade are central to the prosperity of nations. He noted that Africa’s combined GDP of around $4 trillion is far too low for a continent of 1.5 billion people, underscoring the need for industrialization and fairer global trade terms.
“The prosperity of one region must contribute to the prosperity of all. When others advance, we too should rise,” he remarked.
The President reaffirmed the relevance of NAM’s neutrality in a polarized world, describing it as a stabilizing voice of balance and justice. Under Uganda’s theme, “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” Museveni called for regional integration, innovation, and collective action to achieve global prosperity.
He also announced Uganda’s plan to champion a legally binding international instrument on the Right to Development, urging the United Nations to expedite its negotiation and adoption.
“Development must be recognized as a fundamental human right,” Gen. Odongo reinforced.
As the meeting continues at Munyonyo, delegates have renewed their commitment to unity and multilateral cooperation, focusing on peace, development, and the equitable representation of developing nations.
Gen. Odongo commended Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, for his pivotal role in guiding the daily operations of the NAM Coordinating Bureau.
The overarching message from Munyonyo remains clear — the Non-Aligned Movement stands united as the voice of the Global South, rooted in principles, driven by solidarity, and determined to build a fairer, more inclusive world.