Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, on 19 January (XINHUA) 

Uganda played host to two important summits in January. The 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on 19 January, and the Third South Summit of the G77+China on 21 January, both took place in the nation’s capital of Kampala. Importantly, it was the first time for the South Summit to be held in Africa.  

China was well represented at both summits, which attracted over 2,000 leaders and delegates, including over 20 heads of states. 

NAM anti-unilateralism 

Held under the theme of Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence, Uganda officially took over the chair of NAM from Azerbaijan. In his speech, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov said the meeting took place at a time when the international system is facing many challenges. He called for continued unity among the member countries to address these challenges. 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said NAM will not accept the continued push for unilateralism and dictation by the developed North on what independent states must do. He said nations should not be manipulated, lectured, or threatened. 

“Our stand is that the world should concentrate on the common human problems - prosperity through trade, the advance of science and technology to deal with human problems, the environment, crime, and terrorism. The future is bright if we act right,” said Museveni. 

He noted the ongoing unilateralism in the global governance system is not acceptable and that no system of governance should be imposed on others, while calling for unity among NAM member states as they seek to influence global affairs, especially at the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future scheduled for September 2024. 

The dozens of heads of state and senior officials of NAM members attending the summit included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui, Kenyan President William Ruto, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, and Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa amongst others. 

The summit was preceded by the ministerial and senior officials’ meetings leading up to the main event from 15 to 19 January. Leaders stressed that NAM has been an advocate of many just causes in the world, including the struggle against colonialism, fascism, racism and apartheid. The group opposed wars and imposition of unfair sanctions and unilateral coercive measures against some of its members. They also discussed conflicts in the Middle East, which they said are undermining the multilateral system in resolving conflicts. 

“How can the Western countries, who claim to be so civilised, justify the murder of women and children in Gaza, the indiscriminate bombings of hospitals and schools and deprivation of access to safe water and food?” asked Mesa in a speech to delegates. 

Resolutions made at NAM Summit 

This year, the NAM Summit ended with a draft declaration on a raft of topics including peace and security, agriculture, refugee’s migration, human rights, sovereignty of member states and peaceful conflict resolution. 

Members resolved to focus on unity as the world grapples with the continued push for unilateralism. 

They denounced Israel’s military campaign on the Gaza Strip and demanded an immediate ceasefire. They also affirmed support for Palestine to be admitted as a member state of the UN. 

Also agreed on was the promise to promote respect of the UN Charter and international law, especially the principle of sovereignty and equality. 

NAM concluded there is a need to establish a system of global governance that is fair and equitable, and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm. 

Now more than six decades old, NAM was founded in 1961 by countries opposed to joining either of the two major Cold War-era military and political blocs and is now the largest global bloc after the UN. The NAM held its first conference (the Belgrade Conference) in 1961. NAM is made up of 120 member states and one of their major objectives is seeking more influence on global affairs. 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni speaks at the Third South Summit in Kampala, Uganda, on 21 January (XINHUA) 

G77+China 

Following on from the NAM Summit, Uganda hosted the Third South Summit of G77+China on 21-22 January, taking over the chair for 2024 from Cuba.  

The two-day meeting was held under the theme of Leaving No One Behind, and worked to improve cooperation among its member states amid the increasing competitive global environment. 

The Chinese government provides consistent political support to G77 and has made financial contributions to the group since 1994. 

In his opening address at the G77+China Summit, Museveni said that there is a need for member countries to work collectively towards development. He said development in one country can lead to people in other countries benefiting. Giving the example of China, he said, “While transformation was going on in China, other parts of the world, where it was buying commodities, were benefiting. That shows that growth in one part can lead to people in other countries to benefit.”  

Meanwhile, Chinese representative, Deputy Premier Liu advised developing countries to work collectively towards development. “Developing countries should jointly support the reforms of the World Trade Organisation and international financial systems,” he said. 

China has implemented over 500 projects in developing countries, said Liu, adding that 200 more projects are expected over the coming years. 

China’s material support 

China played a big role in helping Uganda to host both NAM and G77+China summits. It donated 70 new seven-seater Maxus D 90 SUVs used to transport heads of state and other senior delegates at the two summits. 

On 14 December 2023, the luxury vehicles were handed over to Musa Ecweru, Uganda’s minister of state for works and transport, at a function held at the Ministry of Transport and Works headquarters in Kampala.  

While handing over the vehicles, Zhang Lizhong, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said, “We are supporting the two summits [because they] are grand events meant for developing countries to enhance solidarity.”