At 65th Non-Aligned Movement anniversary: Biya's envoy, Dion Ngute, advocates solidarity funds for member States.

Celebrations took place in Belgrade, Serbia, yesterday, under the theme: "The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today's World".

Dion Ngute was among key global figures who made the positions of their respective countries known during the conference of Heads of State and Governments of Non-Aligned Movement countries held at the Palace of the Federal Executive Council.

The PM was accompanied by the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella, Cameroon's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Michel Tommo Monthé.

Enter key speakers 

Opening the global gathering, the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, said the Non-Aligned Movement remains a stronghold of multilateralism.

“At a time when the foundations of the global order are shaken by selective approaches to international law, the Non-Aligned Movement remains the stronghold of multilateralism, upholding the principle that the world must belong to all, not merely to those who currently hold superior economic or military power,” the President of Serbia noted.

He added that the Non-Aligned Movement member States remain committed to the fundamental principles of the United Nations, whereby the voice of every independent country carries the same moral strength, regardless of their geographical size or material wealth. 

President Vučić expressed his deepest gratitude to the many member states of the Non-Aligned Movement for upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, thereby providing firm support for the preservation of our constitutional order and the protection of our national interests on the international stage.

He said genuine mutual understanding and solidarity among member States demonstrate that long-standing partnerships are far more than just a memory of a glorious past. They represent a living, effective alliance that has proven itself at every critical historical moment – stated the President of Serbia. 

He noted that Serbia preserves the noble legacy of the 1961 Belgrade Conference with exceptional emotional and historical pride, remaining a loyal ally committed to the principles jointly championed by member states of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

The Serbian leader reaffirmed that his country will continue to cherish its long-lasting friendships and stand united with member states to defend peace, international law, and the right of every nation to be respected.

On her part, the Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, the country that currently holds the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, stated that the Non-Aligned Movement was born as a rational response to a world split between capitalism and socialism. 

She delivered a message on behalf of the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was unable to attend the conference, extending his congratulations to all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement on the 65th anniversary of its first summit.

Biya’s envoy presents Cameroon’s position 

Speaking during the gathering, Dion Ngute extended President Biya's goodwill on behalf of Cameroon for the 120 member States. 

The Prime Minister saluted the Movement's founding members for their foresight, noting that the Movement has grown to become an irresistible voice towards peace and equitable development in the world. 

Dion Ngute noted that despite the particular circumstances surrounding its inception, development and composition, the Non-Aligned Movement has remained at the fore of major historical events. 

He cited the formation of the Group of 77 at the United Nations in 1963; the creation of UNCTAD in 1964; and the adoption, in 1974, by the United Nations General Assembly of the important resolution on the New International Economic Order. 

Dion Ngute said despite the achievements, there is a need to renew commitment as the old order is giving way to new dynamics globally. 

Cameroon advocates creation of solidarity funds 

The Prime Minister stated the government's proposal to create two complementary mechanisms for the Movement. 

He mentioned the Solidarity Fund, designed to support States facing humanitarian crises and natural disasters, and the Solidarity Development Fund, to support development initiatives of member States. 

The two instruments, Dion Ngute explained, could help strengthen the Movement’s proactivity and effectiveness and, above all, translate into concrete action the solidarity that lies at the heart of its founding principles". 

Dion Ngute reaffirmed Cameroon's commitment to accompany worthwhile initiatives of the prestigious bloc.

Tree planting, creation of scholarship crowns anniversary 

PM Dion Ngute also joined other global leaders to plant trees too mark the anniversary of the Movement. Serbian officials said the tree planting represents continuity and stability in their commitment to the ideals of the Movement. 

The officials also made public the Serbia to the world scholarship initiative which they said is a means to maintain links among countries of the Movement. 

They said it is also a scheme to prepare students who will carry on in defending the ideals of the Movement in the future. 

Dion Ngute on diplomatic offensive on sidelines 

President Biya’s envoy also used the mission to Serbia to make major diplomatic gains for the country.

On the sidelines of the gathering, Dion Ngute granted audience to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Prof Sahiba Gafarova. She used the audience to express the desire of her country to strengthen Parliamentary ties with Cameroon. 

Prof Sahiba Gafarova also used the audience to solicit Cameroon’s support for her candidacy for the post of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. 

Dion Ngute, had upon arriving Serbia, also held talks with the country’s Prime Minister, Đuro Macut. Both officials used the audience at the Palace of the Federal Executive Council in Belgrade to review the state of bilateral ties between both nations.

Dion Ngute and his Serbian counterpart discussed about the Non-Aligned Movement as well as touched on bilateral issues relating to trade, agriculture, energy, education, infrastructure, women, youth and human capital development between both nations. 

Brief about Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of some 120 countries not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. It was founded in the view of promoting the interest of developing countries in the context of the Cold War confrontation. 

The high-level meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement is to revisit the founding principles of sovereignty, anti-colonialism, and peaceful coexistence among member countries.

It is the first Heads of State or government meeting, 60 years since it was founded. Member States are using the gathering to evaluate the road covered and examine the role of the organization in today's world.

Cameroon joined the organisation in 1964 and aligned her policy with the avoidance of former Cold War military pacts, NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Today, Cameroon continues to use the movement as a platform for multilateral cooperation.

Also present were senior representatives from countries that took part in the first conference in 1961, as well as representatives of the Non-Aligned Movement’s current Troika, made up of Azerbaijan, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3897 of Wednesday September 02, 2026