We need the Non-Aligned Movement for dialogue with the West
Twenty-five nations convene at the first 1961 Non-Aligned Conference in Belgrade. It resulted in the adoption of "The Declaration on the Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation," which outlined the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement.- Photo: Museum of Yugoslavia
In January 2024, Uganda will assume the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, steering global discussions for the next three years. Recently in Kampala, The Nordic Africa Institute held a round-table dialogue, co-hosted with the Uganda Council for Foreign Relations. NAM's unique structure, lacking a formal charter or secretariat, empowers member states equally. Uganda's chairmanship coincides with global challenges like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel's invasion of Gaza as part of the Israel-Hamas conflict, reshaping alliances and impacting developing nations.
Here, Nordic Africa Institute Senior Researcher Angela Muvumba Sellström and Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Adonia Ayebare discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with Uganda helming the Non-Aligned Movement and differing perspectives on building stronger multilateralism.