TEHRAN – Speaking at the 19th Interim Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized solidarity, multilateralism and resistance to unilateralism, and reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with all member states in promoting the movement’s noble principles.
Araghchi gave a powerful speech on Wednesday, stressing the need for unity among Member States in upholding international law, multilateralism and justice.
Mr. Araguchi thanked the Ugandan government and people for their “warm and generous hospitality,” praised Uganda’s effective leadership in the movement, and emphasized “untiring efforts to advance NAM’s goals and the unity of its member states.”
Reaffirming Iran’s long-standing commitment to the ideals of the Non-Aligned Movement, he said, “Sustained world peace and stability can only be achieved through diplomacy and cooperation,” warning that “unilateral actions and coercive measures threaten peace and undermine trust between nations.”
Iran’s foreign minister criticized recent efforts by the United States and European members of the United Nations Security Council to abuse the Security Council’s mechanisms to revive a discontinued resolution against Iran, calling the move a “clear violation” of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
“From Iran’s perspective, which is shared by many members of the Security Council, any attempt to reinstate these discontinued measures is groundless, unjustified and amounts to political coercion,” Araghchi said.
He urged NAM member states to “hold firm to the principles of the movement” and reject such “invalid and illegal maneuvers”, stressing that collective resistance to coercion will show that “independent states will not bow to bullying or unilateral pressure.”
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, Araghchi strongly condemned what he called the “most brutal campaign of genocide” against the Palestinian people over the past two years.
He said more than 70,000 Palestinians had been killed and the Gaza Strip was reduced to rubble, and accused the Israeli regime of committing atrocities “with the full support and complicity of the United States and other Western countries.”
“The perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice,” he said, calling for an end to the genocide, the withdrawal of occupation forces, the granting of humanitarian access and immediate efforts to rebuild Gaza.
Araghchi stressed that “the solution to the Palestinian issue will not be successful unless we recognize the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination,” adding that Palestine’s continued struggle against “occupation, apartheid and colonial conquest” is legitimate and legitimate.
He also condemned Israel’s recent act of aggression against Iran in June, saying it was further evidence of “the regime’s failure to recognize moral and legal boundaries.” He called on the international community to “document and expose Israel’s crimes” and “use all available legal mechanisms to bring perpetrators of war crimes and genocide to justice.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister concluded his remarks by calling for greater solidarity among members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
“Today, more than ever, NAM countries must act united, rejecting illegal measures such as mandatory sanctions, and upholding the international rule of law,” Araghchi said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to cooperate with all member states to advance the movement’s noble principles.”
Araghchi arrived in Kampala early Wednesday morning to attend the 19th Interim Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held under the theme of “Deepening Cooperation for Greater Global Prosperity.” The two-day event will be attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats from more than 120 member states.
The Non-Aligned Movement was formally established in 1961 at its first summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, attended by 25 countries, including Egypt, India, Indonesia, Yugoslavia, and Ghana.