Mandated by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, this Wednesday advocated for a new world order based on justice, mutual trust, and solidarity among nations during his speech at the 19th ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
Mr. Attaf affirmed that “the world needs a new breath grounded in trust and the conviction that prosperity can only be sustainable if it is shared.” In his address, he emphasized the imperative to build a new paradigm of international cooperation based on fairness, solidarity, and reciprocity.
He also highlighted that the theme chosen by the Ugandan presidency “perfectly illustrates the spirit of Bandung,” before calling on Southern countries to raise their collective voice to link security and development in a global and balanced approach. For the minister, this approach rests on three fundamental principles.
First, the need to rebuild trust between the North and the South by basing international relations on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation. Ahmed Attaf insisted on ending domination, exclusion, and dependence, believing that “partnerships must now be based on complementarity and reciprocity, not superiority or coercion.”
Regarding the urgent need to reform the structural imbalances of the global system, the minister stressed that the composition and functioning of major international institutions, starting with the United Nations Security Council, must be reconsidered. He also called for a thorough revision of the mechanisms of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization, “to strengthen the representation of Southern countries and establish more fairness and transparency.”
Finally, Mr. Attaf emphasized the moral and political obligation to respect international commitments related to sustainable development. This implies, he explained, “fulfilling the promises made concerning growth financing, debt resolution, climate justice, responsible governance, and technology transfer.” He added that these commitments are not favors but obligations humanity has imposed on itself to guarantee a more stable and just future for all.
Reflecting on the historic significance of this meeting, Ahmed Attaf recalled that it takes place in the wake of the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, “this foundational milestone that paved the way for the decolonization and emancipation of dozens of peoples in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere.” He stressed that “Bandung was a major turning point in modern history, where Southern nations proclaimed their right to dignity and sovereignty.”
The minister took the opportunity to recall that Algeria will never forget that its own national liberation cause found its first defenders at Bandung. “Our Revolution benefited at Bandung from the solidarity of visionary peoples and leaders. It is thanks to them that the Algerian question was first brought before the United Nations General Assembly. Algeria has never forgotten this founding solidarity,” he said with emotion.
The Minister of State then praised the steadfastness of the Non-Aligned Movement to its founding values: defending justice, rejecting domination, and supporting liberation causes. Mr. Attaf recalled that Southern countries continue to suffer from an unbalanced world order, where “decisions shaping the planet’s destiny are often made by a few to the detriment of the majority.” He called for restoring the voice of the people in international forums and promoting genuinely inclusive multilateralism.
As is tradition on the international stage, Algeria’s voice rose to defend just causes. The foreign minister praised the clear positions of the Movement on the Palestinian issue, which he described as a “universal moral and political cause.” He declared that “the Palestinian people live today between two hopes: an immediate hope, that of respecting the ceasefire and meeting the urgent needs of our brothers in Gaza, and a greater hope, that of opening a genuine political process to end the occupation and enable the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.”
Addressing the Western Sahara issue, Mr. Attaf recalled Algeria’s and the Non-Aligned Movement’s consistent position, supporting that “the Sahrawi people claim nothing other than their legitimate right to freely decide their future, without tutelage or coercion. This is a principled position, consistent with international law and UN resolutions on decolonization.”
In conclusion to his speech, the Minister of State reaffirmed Algeria’s determination to continue, with its Southern partners, defending a more equitable and humane global governance.
He recalled that the fight for justice, equity, and solidarity is not a slogan but a collective duty born from the shared history of peoples who rejected domination. Faithful to the spirit of Bandung, Algeria intends to continue this fight with consistency and conviction, for a world where every nation, big or small, can be heard, respected, and recognized.