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Ruto calls for united push against global challenges at NAM Summit

President William Ruto at NAM Summit in Uganda.

By Patel Okumu | Friday, January 19, 2024

Addressing fellow dignitaries at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, Kenyan President William Ruto painted a stark picture of a world teetering between immense opportunity and grave dangers.

Addressing fellow dignitaries at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, Kenyan President William Ruto painted a stark picture of a world teetering between immense opportunity and grave dangers. From nuclear proliferation and climate change to poverty and rising inequality, Ruto urged the NAM to forge a united front in tackling these multifaceted crises.

He commended outgoing chair President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for guiding the movement through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic and ongoing global tensions. Yet, Ruto emphasized that the present demands renewed commitment to the NAM's core values of freedom, democracy, and the sovereign equality of nations.

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Ruto outlined five key areas of focus for the NAM under Uganda's chairmanship:

Completing decolonization and defending the principle of sovereign equality.

Demanding democratic inclusion in global decision-making bodies.

Promoting peace and security through disarmament and conflict prevention.

Achieving economic liberation through poverty reduction and a fair global system.

Embracing science, technology, and innovation to overcome common challenges.

He passionately argued for economic justice, highlighting the plight of millions pushed back into poverty by the pandemic and rising costs of living. "Prosperity," he declared, "is only meaningful when it leaves no one behind." The NAM, he proposed, must champion initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals to create a world where shared prosperity becomes a lived reality.

Ruto recognized the limitations of resources against ever-growing challenges. He championed science, technology, and innovation as the key to unlocking new opportunities and transcending barriers. The digital divide, he asserted, must be closed for all to participate in the benefits of the digital revolution.

The Kenyan President concluded with a call to action, urging the NAM to "stay true to these principles." He promised the movement's full support in building a better world for all.