PM engages in NAM summit for global influence

UGANDA: PRIME MINISTER Kassim Majaliwa represented Tanzania in the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in a resounding display of Tanzania’s commitment to global cooperation.

The two-day summit, which commenced on Friday, sought to strengthen the influence of the 120-member state movement on global affairs.

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda opened the summit, officially taking over the chairmanship of NAM from Azerbaijan. President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan was represented by Mr Majaliwa in the important gathering.

The NAM summit, held every three years, serves as a platform for member states to collaborate on various global issues. The 18th summit, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan in October 2019, faced disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to the postponement of subsequent meetings.

NAM’s diverse membership includes 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and two from Europe. It also encompasses 17 observer countries, and 10 observer organisations.

President Museveni, upon assuming the chairmanship, pledged his commitment to fostering cooperation among NAM nations to achieve the organisation’s established goals.

Addressing the meeting, he emphasised Africa’s capabilities, dispelling notions of food shortages and advocating for global solidarity in addressing common challenges and fostering prosperity.

The summit’s agenda focuses on enhancing collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, poverty eradication, climate change, peace and security, healthcare, sustainable development and the digital economy.

The gathering also provides a platform for key addresses, including remarks from the President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Representatives of the Regional Groups—African Region, Asia-Pacific Region, Latin America and the Caribbean Region and European Region—will highlight critical concerns specific to their respective regions.

Under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” the 19th Summit aims to strengthen the bonds among NAM member states for mutual prosperity and global influence. The summit is scheduled to conclude tomorrow.