KAMPALA, Uganda — The Non-Aligned Movement concluded its 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau on Wednesday, wrapping up four days of dialogue that reaffirmed the bloc’s unity and commitment to a more inclusive global order.
Held at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” the meeting recognized Uganda’s leadership as chair of NAM since the 19th Summit in January 2024. More than 120 member states, observer nations, and partner organizations participated, joined by representatives from the African Union and the United Nations.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NAM chair, officially opened the session on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Museveni reminded delegates of NAM’s mission to protect the independence and sovereignty of nations. He urged member states to use science, technology and innovation to achieve liberation from underdevelopment, emphasizing that the prosperity of one nation should reinforce that of others. He called for reforms to global economic and financial systems to ensure equal opportunities.
Ministers and senior officials engaged in discussions that covered political, social and economic priorities, resulting in a unified outcome document. Key topics addressed included global governance reform, South-South cooperation, support for Palestine, climate change, debt relief and peace and security.
The African Union representative praised Uganda’s effective coordination and reiterated the AU’s commitment to collaborating with NAM to build a new global financial structure. The AU stressed the limitations of traditional development aid and the need for the Global South to assert its agency through mutual cooperation. Speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, the UN representative acknowledged NAM’s historic and ongoing role in advancing peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, formally concluded the meeting on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. “This meeting has reaffirmed our shared resolve to strengthen multilateralism, defend the core principles of the Movement, and pursue the right to development as a universal human goal,” Odongo said. He stated that Uganda remains committed to ensuring the collective voice of the Global South influences the global agenda.
A motion of thanks was proposed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua and seconded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, expressing appreciation for Uganda’s hospitality and organizational excellence. Delegates congratulated Uganda’s chairmanship for securing consensus on the Kampala Final Document and the Kampala Declaration. The adopted outcome document will guide NAM’s priorities for the next two years, reinforcing its commitment to global justice, peace, and sustainable development.
