Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo, has officially opened the 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Coordinating Bureau at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.
The meeting brings together foreign ministers and delegates from NAM Member States to review progress since the 19th NAM Summit, which Uganda hosted in January 2024.
Gen Odongo reaffirmed Uganda’s unwavering commitment to the Movement’s founding principles, emphasizing that as Chair of the NAM Coordinating Bureau, Uganda remains dedicated to strengthening unity, solidarity, and the collective influence of developing nations on the global stage.
“Uganda remains steadfast in upholding NAM’s principled positions and in promoting the collective interests of our Member States. We are committed to revitalizing the Movement and ensuring our voice continues to shape international dialogue and decision-making,” Gen Odongo said.
He underscored that the question of Palestine remains a central issue for the Non-Aligned Movement, stressing the need for Member States to uphold NAM’s consistent and principled stance on the matter.
“We must continue our efforts to end all forms of colonialism, oppression, occupation, and apartheid in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Two-State Solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace,” he said.
Gen Odongo noted that while recent diplomatic efforts have provided a brief moment of relief, sustained attention must be placed on humanitarian assistance and long-term political solutions.
On economic issues, the minister called for a renewed focus on South–South cooperation, highlighting that many developing nations continue to face structural barriers in global trade and financing.
“The global trading system is increasingly restrictive, with tariff and non-tariff barriers denying our countries fair participation in international trade. These challenges are worsened by a widening technological divide that hinders industrial development and value addition,” he stated.
However, Odongo pointed to encouraging signs of progress, noting that South–South trade has grown from $0.6 trillion in 1995 to $5.6 trillion in 2023, creating new opportunities for developing countries to reduce dependence on traditional markets.
“The potential of South–South trade remains vast but underutilized. We must strengthen interregional cooperation among Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to unlock new paths for economic growth and mutual benefit,” he added.
The midterm ministerial meeting is expected to issue a communiqué reaffirming NAM’s collective priorities and charting the way forward for member states.
