Defending Palestine and strengthening multilateralism: Iran’s approach at NAM summit

Pars Today – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, arrived in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, to participate in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) foreign ministers’ meeting.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on X that Araghchi has departed for Kampala. He wrote that Iran’s foreign minister arrived in the Ugandan capital to participate in the 19th intersessional meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) foreign ministers.

The 19th intersessional meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) foreign ministers will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, October 15–16, 2025, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The summit will be chaired by Uganda’s foreign minister and attended by foreign ministers and high-level delegations from NAM member countries.

In addition to participating in the summit’s general discussions and presenting Iran’s positions on international developments, Araghchi will hold meetings on the sidelines with the foreign ministers of participating countries to exchange views.

Key topics at the Kampala NAM meetings will include reviewing international and regional developments with emphasis on the principles of member states, strengthening multilateral cooperation among members, and clarifying countries’ positions on global challenges such as climate change, humanitarian crises, reforming international structures, and developments in Gaza.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization comprising over 120 countries that was established during the Cold War. Iran is a key and influential member of NAM, playing an important role in shaping the movement’s policies, particularly in areas such as opposing unilateralism and defending the independence of developing countries.

In 2012, Iran hosted the 16th NAM summit in Tehran and held the movement’s rotating chairmanship for three years. Iran has consistently defended NAM’s fundamental principles, including non-alignment with major powers, respect for national sovereignty, and opposition to unilateral sanctions.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has also utilized NAM’s capacity to counter Western sanctions and has sought to draw the attention of member states to this issue. During its term as chair, Iran put forward proposals for reforming the United Nations Charter, combating terrorism, and promoting justice in the global economic system.

Through the Non-Aligned Movement, the Islamic Republic of Iran has strengthened its relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Hosting summits and cultural meetings within the framework of NAM has provided a platform to present Iran’s perspectives to the world.

The 19th meeting of NAM foreign ministers in Uganda provides a vital opportunity for independent countries to unite in support of the Palestinian people and to oppose global unilateralism. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted many NAM member states to call for a firm stance against Israeli actions. At the Kampala summit, NAM’s Palestine Committee will convene to reaffirm solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The holding of the NAM foreign ministers’ meeting in Kampala is particularly significant at a time when the world faces complex crises such as the Gaza war, unilateralism by major powers, climate change, and economic inequalities. The Kampala summit provides an opportunity for independent countries to speak with one voice in defending justice and political independence against the dominance of major powers.

By participating in this summit, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not only present its positions but also create opportunities for bilateral interactions that serve national and regional interests. The summit is not merely a diplomatic event; it symbolizes the efforts of independent countries to build a fairer, more humane, and balanced world in the face of emerging challenges. From a humanitarian and ethical perspective, the meeting offers an opportunity to redefine the role of the Non-Aligned Movement in today’s world.

Given the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled approach in foreign policy to counter unilateralism and its emphasis on the importance of cooperation among independent countries, the 19th NAM foreign ministers’ meeting in Kampala provides an appropriate opportunity for member states to exchange views and enhance broader collaboration for the future.