Foreign Ministers of NAM Convene in Kampala for Midterm Review Summit Kampala, Uganda
Today, Kampala plays host to the 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a forum gathering foreign ministers from the movement’s 121 member states to assess progress, reaffirm commitments, and set the course for the NAM agenda under Uganda’s chairmanship (2024–2027).
Theme & Context
The meeting is being held under the banner “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.” Among its goals is reviewing how member states have implemented outcomes from last year’s Heads of State Summit in Kampala, and charting diplomatic, economic, and security priorities for the movement.
Due to ongoing global tensions — including conflicts in the Middle East — this summit is also taking place against a backdrop of heated diplomacy and international pressure.
Key Moments & Statements
President Yoweri Museveni, as NAM Chair, delivered a major address pushing for cooperation over dominance, urging nations to prioritize shared prosperity instead of coercion.
The summit coincides with global attention on the Israel–Palestine conflict. Uganda’s leadership has reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, and appealed to member states to rally around peaceful resolutions.
In the final communiqué, the NAM foreign ministers voiced strong support for Venezuela’s sovereignty amid external pressures, calling on parties to respect international law and de-escalate tensions.
On the sidelines, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held bilateral talks and announced that several proposals from Iran—particularly concerning the UN “snapback” mechanism—were included in the summit’s final draft document.
Araghchi is also reported to have met with his Tunisian counterpart to discuss regional cooperation and diplomatic ties during the summit.
Earlier in the meeting, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo opened proceedings by emphasizing that unity, solidarity, and a common purpose are essential in a global environment marked by volatility and structural injustice.
Significance for Uganda & NAM
This summit is a midterm review, meaning it is pivotal in assessing how well NAM’s vision is being translated into actions across member states.
Uganda, holding the NAM chairmanship from 2024–2027, seeks to use this meeting to cement its diplomatic leadership and influence over agenda items such as global governance, trade justice, climate resilience, and south–south cooperation.
The summit also shines a spotlight on how non-aligned diplomacy adapts in the contemporary multipolar world — particularly how countries navigate tensions with major power blocs while preserving autonomy and mutual respect.
