By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit takes place at a time when international challenges – “exacerbated by geopolitical dynamics and conflicts in various regions of the world” – are abound.
Ramaphosa on Friday delivered the country statement of South Africa during the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit being held in Uganda.
The summit, themed “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 20.
According to a statement released by The Presidency on Friday, South Africa’s participation in the NAM Summit is guided by four strategic foreign policy pillars, emphasising advancing national interests, enhancing the African Agenda, influencing global multilateral architecture reform, and promoting South-South Cooperation and North-South Dialogue.
Ramaphosa’s arrival in Kampala on January 18 precedes the summit, which is preceded by a meeting of NAM Ministers held from January 17 to 18.
The NAM Summit is held every three years and serves as the highest decision-making authority of the Movement.
Azerbaijan, who has chaired the NAM since 2019, will formally hand over the position to Uganda in 2024 for the next three years until 2027.
Following the NAM Summit, Uganda is set to assume the Group of 77 (G77) Chairship and host the G77 Third South Summit from January 21 to 23.
The G77 plus China is the largest negotiating bloc of developing countries in the United Nations, and South Africa actively participates in its work to strengthen the economic independence of Southern countries, complementing North-South cooperation.
Ramaphosa said, “The wars taking place in Ukraine and Palestine are causing grave humanitarian and health crises and contributing to international instability.The supremacy of multilateralism as embodied by the United Nations Charter and international law is being undermined exactly when it is needed most.
“At a time when the world appears to be once again divided between east and west, the Non-Aligned Movement should continue to assert its independence based on our common values.
“South Africa remains steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach in the maintenance of international peace and security and advocating for inclusive dialogue and the peaceful political settlement of disputes,” he said.
Ramaphosa called on the NAM to work together in pursuance of:
- the right to self-determination of the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara;
- the lifting of the economic blockade against Cuba and unilateral sanctions against Iran, Venezuela and Zimbabwe;
- reaffirmation of the inalienable right of access to nuclear materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes;
- upholding the centrality of the UN Charter and international law in the peaceful resolution of conflict;
- defeating the scourge of terrorism and its root causes; and,
- the alleviation and eradication of poverty and underdevelopment.
“This interconnected world calls for a collective determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to address the economic, social, health and environmental challenges that every country faces.”
“We need to give dedicated attention to the reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations. We must give meaning to the principle of sovereign equality of nations and ensure that the voice of the African Continent and the Global South is strengthened in the broader multilateral system,” Ramaphosa said.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of Presidency.