Entebbe International Airport in Uganda is currently buzzing with activity, welcoming delegates from all over the world for the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit 2024. Considered a significant event in the international diplomatic calendar, this summit highlights Uganda’s pivotal role as a host nation.
Global Leaders Converge in Uganda
Leaders from various nations, including Djibouti, Russia, and South Sudan, have landed on Ugandan soil for the summit. Notably, South Sudan is the newest member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), boosting its strength to 121 members. The President of South Sudan, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, was formally welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of South Sudan to Uganda.
Uganda’s Influence and Global Discussions
Uganda’s influence on the summit and its efforts to achieve consensus on the outcome documents have been a focal discussion point. The country’s investment and privatization state minister also emphasized Uganda’s comparative advantage in the global market. Topics on the summit’s agenda have included Africa’s demand for permanent seats on the UN Security Council, issues in the Gaza conflict, and regional armed conflicts.
A Platform for Cooperation and Peace
The NAM Summit serves as a platform for member countries that do not align with any major power bloc to discuss mutual interests, cooperation, and the promotion of world peace. Originating as a response to the Cold War, NAM’s primary objective has been to safeguard the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of non-aligned countries. Over time, the movement has expanded to include significant representation from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Some countries, like Turkey and China, have pursued their own foreign policies, independent of alignment with any particular bloc. However, several previous NAM member countries have either ceased to exist or shown limited interest in the group.
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