Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been elected the new chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), at the ongoing 19th NAM heads of state summit at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Uganda’s four-year chairmanship will expire in 2027.
President Museveni assumes the chairmanship from H.E. Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who has steered NAM since 2019.
The Non-Aligned Movement chairmanship seat was handed over by H.E Jeyhun Aziz Ogu Bayramov, foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, on behalf of President Ilham Aliye, the out going Chairman.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Museveni underscored the significance of NAM’s combined strength in ensuring a more promising future and protecting the liberties and rights of developing nations.
He urged a renewed emphasis on priorities that contribute to the well-being of these countries, including unity, solidarity, and the advancement of their interests on the global platform.
“The Non-Aligned Movement’s strength should be harnessed to exert significant influence, particularly at the United Nations, to drive effective and transformative processes for a better future,” Mr. Museveni stated.
“In the negotiations for the ‘Pact of the Future’ – the outcome document of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 – we must clearly define priorities that favour developing countries by upholding unity, solidarity, and collective coordination among our member states,” he added.
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President Museveni in his speech addressing NAM delegates on Friday 19, January 2024, urged countries to respect the “freedoms of everybody.”
“We are flabbergasted and look down with contempt at the philosophical, ideological and strategic shallowness of some of the actors of the world. If you say that you are a democrat, why don’t you respect the freedoms of everybody?,” Mr. Museveni said.
President Museveni’s appointment stands as a pivotal milestone for Uganda, highlighting its increasing prominence in global affairs. His leadership is anticipated to steer NAM through the intricate geopolitical terrain, championing the concerns of its 120 member states. This becomes especially crucial amid persistent global challenges like climate change, economic uncertainties, and inequality.
