Belgrade Marks 65th Anniversary of Non-Aligned Movement
Belgrade hosted a high-level meeting on Tuesday to mark the 65th anniversary of the first Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference. More than 30 representatives from Global South countries attended, including current NAM leaders from Azerbaijan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described NAM as a key pillar of international cooperation and warned against changes to the international legal framework. Uganda’s Foreign Minister Jessica Alupo, speaking on behalf of President Museveni, said the movement emerged from Cold War divisions and remains important for independent cooperation and global neutrality.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama called on Global South countries to adopt “positive neutrality” and engage in active dialogue, urging them to turn their collective pressure into tangible diplomatic results. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation and international collaboration to address challenges such as terrorism and climate change.
The meeting took place 65 years after the first NAM conference was held in Belgrade in September 1961, which brought together leaders seeking independence from Cold War alliances. Although Serbia is not a NAM member, it holds observer status and is committed to preserving the diplomatic legacy of the conference.
