Honorable Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Uganda for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to our delegation.We are confident that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) will gain further strength and vigour under Uganda’s chairmanship.

2. We also deeply appreciate the active role and contribution of Azerbaijan, the outgoing chair of NAM,for its excellent stewardship of our Movement during the last four years.

Mr. Chairman,

3. Today, the world is at an inflection point. Unprecedented challenges in the form of new conflicts; festering, longstanding disputes;major power rivalries and tensions; a renewed arms race; rising inequalities within and among countries; climate change;and growing racist and religious hatred, especially Islamophobia, threaten to disrupt global peace, security, and development.
4. The Global Southis facing a crisis of food, fuel and finance,induced by the COVID pandemic and exacerbated by geo-political contestations. Climate change is wreaking havoc with increasing frequency and fury. Hard won development gains have been reversed.
5. No country or group of countries, however powerful or prosperous, can overcome these global challenges alone. As an important forum dedicated to peace and development, the role of NAM has become all the more essential to respond to these multifaceted challenges.
6. The Non-Aligned Movement has a proud legacy of upholding an international system rooted in the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter. The Movement has always remained in the vanguard to strengthen multilateralism and international solidarity for advancing the common goal of sustained peace and development. These core values must remain at the centre as we navigate the unprecedented challenges confronting the international community, especially the developing countries today.
7. These challenges require collective solutions which can only be found through enhanced dialogue, engagement and international cooperation. Towards this end, we suggest the following key actions:

• First, we must agree on an “Action Agenda” to push for the urgent actions required in the areas of trade, technology and finance to restore socio-economic growth and promote reform of the international financial architecture.

• Second, we already have an agreed blueprint for equitable global development,outlined in the Agenda 2030 and the recent Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit. We now need to implement the pledges and commitments made under these agreements.

• Third, we must urgently mobilize the financial resources needed by developing countries to recover from the impacts of COVID, climate change and conflicts, to restore them on the path to achieving the SDGsby 2030.

• Fourth,we must ensure the full and consistent respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions, and international law, especially non-use of force and pacific settlement of disputes.

• Five, we must reaffirm our commitment to cooperative multilateralism for pursuing our shared goals of a more democratic, equitable, fair and just international order – not based on centres of privilege and power – but one that fosters the universal ideals of peace andprosperity for all.

• Sixth, we must revive the Movement’s role in decisively addressing the systemic challenges, which have been exposed and exacerbated by the recent crises. Our collective response should avoid partisan objectives and narrow national agendas. The exceptional circumstances call for exceptional solidarity.

Mr Chairman,

8. Pakistan deeply values the fundamental ideals of the Movement, especially its principled support for the right to self-determination of people living under foreign occupation. It is unfortunate that the people of Palestine and Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are still waiting to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination for over seven decades now.
9. As Israel’s brutal military campaignin Gaza continues with untold suffering for innocent civilians, especially women and children, I reaffirm the full support and solidarity of the Government and people of Pakistan with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in these tragic times. Pakistan strongly and unequivocally condemns the indiscriminate use of force by Israel and calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza, return of the displaced Palestinian population to their homes, and international accountability for the crimes committed by the occupying power.
10. Pakistan calls upon NAM and the international community to secure a just, peaceful and expeditious resolution of the long-standing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations and the aspirations of the people.

Mr Chairman,

11. Pakistan remains firm in its commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement and its founding principles. We will continue to support the Movement’s efforts towards peace, equality, cooperation and well-being for all.

I thank you

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