President Tebboune addresses high-level meeting marking 65th anniversary of NAM’s founding conference
The speech, read on his behalf by the Speaker of the People’s National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament), Khalida Boufedeche, reads as follows:
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Peace and blessings be upon the noblest of messengers, Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Your Highnesses and Your Honours, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, it is my pleasure to stand before you today, representing the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at this important event, which we see as a renewed beginning for our Movement and an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to moving forward in upholding the principles and ideals of non-alignment.
On this occasion, I would like to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to the friendly Republic of Serbia, its government and people, for taking the initiative to organize this high-level commemoration, as well as for the warm welcome and generous hospitality we have received since setting foot in the historic city of Belgrade.
I would also like to commend the outstanding efforts that the Ugandan Presidency of our Movement has continued to make, as well as its commitment to leading our activities across various international forums.
Our gathering today to mark the 65th anniversary of the first founding conference of the Non-Aligned Movement clearly reflects our shared commitment, as member states of this longstanding Movement, to the objectives and principles of the Havana Declaration, as well as our collective determination to strengthen and advance our cooperation and to act as a unified and effective bloc within the international system in confronting various global challenges.
Given the gravity of the current international situation, this occasion is a valuable opportunity to revive the founding principles of our Movement, which are primarily based on the priority of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, protecting mutual interests, and strengthening cooperation based on multilateral relations as a fundamental pillar for achieving the objectives set by the founding fathers of the Movement, inspired by the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, the Bandung principles, and the 1961 Belgrade Conference.
These principles hold renewed value today amid the resurfacing tendency to resort to force instead of good diplomatic offices to resolve international disputes, and the erosion of the legitimacy of international cooperation and the collective security system.
This is due to the ongoing failure of the UN system to halt, or even curb, fait accompli policies and the domination of the strong over the weak, while continuing to approach our shared issues with a logic of selectivity and double standards.
As Algeria reflects today on the movement's legacy and historic positions, it affirms that non-alignment is neither a relic of the past nor a fleeting diplomatic illusion, but rather a renewed sovereign choice necessitated by the profound transformations occurring worldwide.
The principle of sovereignty is indivisible, the application of international law cannot be selective, and the respect for international legitimacy must not be subjected to double standards.
The ongoing aggressive Zionist expansion in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, alongside grave violations of international and humanitarian law, and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe caused by this large-scale regional war, have severe negative repercussions on our movement's countries.
This situation places the international community before a historic responsibility that brooks no delay. It is a situation that compels us to hold ever tighter to our principles as a single, unified bloc, to strengthen our role as the largest international alliance outside the UN, and to achieve peace while securing international security and stability.
Mr. President, In light of these grave developments, it is legitimate that we continually assess our collective responsibility and the effectiveness of our contributions to resolving just causes, amplifying the voice of truth, and elevating international legitimacy above all else, particularly given our broad international representation of over 120 countries, making us a potent force and a unified collective voice capable of influencing the international arena.
From this perspective, and as a mecca for revolutionaries and a champion of just causes worldwide, Algeria has stood beside liberation movements across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
It has never hesitated to defend their causes and support their struggles.
Algeria further contributed to this through the call made by the late President Houari Boumediene for a new global economic order, one that would free the Third World from the chains of neo-colonialism, during the NAM summit held in Algiers in 1973.
In this regard, Algeria warmly welcomes our movement's steadfast and ongoing commitment to supporting the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, such as sovereign equality among states, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the right of peoples to self-determination.
In conclusion, Mr. President, my country, Algeria, is firmly convinced of the validity of the noble goals our movement strives for. We call for enhancing integration, consultation, and interconnectivity among member states, mobilizing all resources and energies to serve our mutual interests, and striving forward as a united bloc that controls its own decisions and marches toward a more prosperous and stable future.
Thank you for your kind attention."