Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, themed ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,’ commenced on Monday 15, January 2024 in Uganda, drawing the participation of Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Convened every few years and typically hosted in a different continent, the NAM summit serves as a significant platform for Member States to assess key global issues.
The previous meeting took place in Baku, Azerbaijan last year, focusing on upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure a united and effective response to contemporary challenges.
This five-day-long summit, boasting a membership of 120 states, 18 observer nations, and 10 organizations, holds the distinction of being the largest grouping of states globally after the United Nations.
President William Ruto is anticipated to join the summit at the Heads of State and government level on Friday 19, January 2024, contributing to the discussions on global cooperation and shared prosperity.
Meanwhile, the President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived on Wednesday 17, January 2024 at Entebbe International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines. South Sudan will be an observer state at the ongoing NAM Summit, it awaits admission to the bloc, increasing its membership to 121 countries
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit: A Brief Overview
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) stands as a unique forum comprising 120 developing countries, founded in 1961 during the Belgrade Summit. Born out of the desire of newly independent nations to maintain autonomy in the midst of the Cold War, the NAM continues to be a significant force in global geopolitics.
Objectives and Principles: The primary objective of the NAM is to foster cooperation among member states and provide a collective voice for nations not aligned with major power blocs. Guided by principles such as respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful coexistence, the movement seeks to address common challenges faced by the developing world.
Regular Summits: NAM convenes regular summits where leaders from member countries gather to discuss and coordinate on a range of global issues. These summits serve as a platform for articulating perspectives on peace, security, economic development, and social justice.
Themes and Focus: Each summit revolves around a theme relevant to the current global context. Emphasizing cooperation, shared prosperity, and addressing common challenges, these themes reflect the movement’s commitment to fostering positive change on a global scale.
Baku Summit (18th): The 18th NAM Summit took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2019. The summit focused on upholding the Bandung Principles, emphasizing the need for a united and effective response to contemporary challenges.
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Uganda Summit (19th): The most recent summit, held in Uganda, centers around the theme of “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.” The ongoing summit underscores the movement’s commitment to promoting collaboration and addressing issues crucial to the well-being of member states.
Membership and Global Impact: NAM’s membership spans regions including Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. While the movement emerged during the Cold War, its enduring relevance is evident in its ongoing contributions to shaping global geopolitics.
