By Margaret Ebeshi
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have adopted the Kampala Declaration at the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting held in Uganda.
At the meeting with the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” the ministers reviewed progress on decisions taken at the 2024 Kampala Summit and addressed emerging global challenges affecting peace, development, and multilateralism.
The ministers also emphasised the continuing relevance of NAM in today’s complex geopolitical environment and underscored its role in promoting international peace, equality, and justice.
The declaration reaffirmed the enduring principles of the Movement, rooted in the Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961) Conferences, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence among states.
Palestine
A central focus of the Kampala Declaration was the Question of Palestine, which remains at the heart of NAM’s agenda.
The ministers expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The declaration called for the full implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/27, demanding an end to any blockade and unrestricted humanitarian access.
It also commended mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States in achieving the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement to end hostilities.
The ministers also reiterated NAM’s support for the Two-State Solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent State of Palestine.
They called for Palestine’s admission as a full United Nations Member State and welcomed the New York Declaration on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
Beyond the Middle East, the declaration addressed regional tensions and sovereignty concerns, condemning Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights and its aggressions against Lebanon and Syria.
The ministers further denounced recent Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing them as grave violations of international law and threats to international peace and security.
The Kampala Declaration also renewed NAM’s commitment to multilateralism, calling for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations system, the international financial architecture, and global governance institutions.
It voiced strong support for Africa’s representation in a reformed UN Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
On global development, NAM reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, urging developed nations to provide fair financing, debt relief, and technology transfer to developing countries.
The ministers also called for the immediate lifting of all unilateral coercive measures that hinder the economic growth and human development of targeted nations.
Climate action featured prominently in the declaration, with the ministers recognizing the Baku Climate Unity Pact from COP29 as a milestone in global cooperation.
They urged developed countries to lead in addressing climate challenges under the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, in accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
On peace and security, NAM reaffirmed its opposition to terrorism in all forms and condemned the misuse of emerging technologies and cyberspace for terrorist purposes.
The ministers underscored the need for international collaboration on cybersecurity and called for dialogue, tolerance, and respect among nations and cultures as tools to counter extremism and hate speech.
Concluding the meeting, the ministers expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Government of Uganda for hosting the conference and for their leadership in advancing NAM’s objectives.
They also looked forward to the XX Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement to be held in Uzbekistan, where member states will continue efforts to strengthen unity, global cooperation, and shared prosperity.