President John Dramani Mahama has called on member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to deepen partnerships and remain faithful to the movement’s founding principles in response to rising geopolitical tensions.
Speaking at the 65th anniversary commemorative summit in Belgrade, Serbia, the city where the movement was formally established on September 1, 1961, President Mahama said recent global challenges should motivate greater unity among NAM countries.
He stressed, however, that non-alignment must not be interpreted as neutrality when confronted with injustice, conflict, or the erosion of international law.
Former Ghana Embassy IT officer's firm received nearly $296,000 in renovation payments - Report
"We must strengthen coordination among member states and translate our shared principle into practical action as we confront challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence, digital inequality, and widening development gaps. NAM must remain a united voice for peace, sovereignty, sustainable development, and a more just and equitable world," President Mahama said in a video shared by TV3 Ghana on X.
The president attended the high-level meeting as a special guest of honour at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Ghana’s participation highlights its historic role as a founding member.
'They took my kidney' - Ghanaian man recounts alleged ordeal at Italian hospital
The summit, themed “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World,” brings together representatives from more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
NAM, which now counts approximately 120 member states, remains the largest intergovernmental grouping outside the United Nations. It was created during the Cold War to enable developing nations to pursue independent foreign policies without aligning with either major power bloc.
In his address, President Mahama also urged the movement to move beyond declarations and translate its collective influence into concrete diplomatic action and coordinated outcomes at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
He recalled Tito’s assertion at the 1961 conference that non-aligned countries have a right and duty to help resolve threats to global peace, describing the principle as still relevant today.
Watch President Mahama's remarks below.
President John Mahama says recent geopolitical tensions must spur on member nations of the Non-Aligned Movement to forge stronger partnerships and remain united to the principles that formed the movement. He, however, says non-alignment should not be misunderstood as neutrality… pic.twitter.com/NnHrFUl81I
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) September 1, 2026 VKB/BAI EU Ambassador raises concern over political polarization in Ghana's media