Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has underscored the imperative role of developing nations in spearheading climate action and delineating a trajectory towards a prosperous future. He made these remarks while delivering the Maldives’ statement at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala, Uganda.
The Vice President emphasised that the repercussions of climate change transcend geological borders and that developing countries are disproportionately impacted due to their resource constraints. He urged NAM to deepen cooperation and counter new and emerging threats, reaffirming the Maldives’ steadfast belief in international cooperation and the strength derived from unity in diversity.
Latheef further stated that humanity stands at a pivotal juncture. Despite significant advancements leading to a more prosperous world, he said societies are also plagued by conflict, calamity, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty, friction, and fear.
Highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where thousands of innocent lives have been lost, Latheef reiterated the Maldives’ strong condemnation of the deliberate acts of aggression by Israeli forces against innocent Palestinian civilians. He applauded South Africa’s application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), requesting a declaration that Israel is in breach of the Genocide Convention. Latheef called for unity in intensifying calls for an immediate ceasefire and a permanent solution for peace, envisioning a sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Vice President stressed the need to revitalise and reform the United Nations and its Security Council. He emphasised NAM’s role in ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for all, stating the movement’s vital role in guaranteeing peace, shared affluence, prosperity, and security through international cooperation and integration. He noted that the movement must continue to adapt to ever-changing global dynamics, striving to create a world where hope triumphs over fear, peace over conflict, and resilience over vulnerability.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organisation of states that consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. It is the largest grouping of states worldwide outside the United Nations, with a mission to ensure the independent survival of the developing world in the face of pressures from the developed world.
The Vice President is currently in Uganda to attend the 19th Summit of NAM and the Third South Summit, organised under the framework of Group 77 and China.