President John Dramani Mahama has joined leaders and senior representatives in Belgrade, Serbia, for the 65th anniversary commemoration of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), using the occasion to push for stronger coordination and a more active role for the grouping in global affairs.
Mahama arrived in Belgrade on August 31, 2026, to represent Ghana at the high-level meeting hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The gathering marks 65 years since the first Non-Aligned Movement conference was held in the Serbian capital in 1961.
The meeting brings renewed attention to Ghana’s historic place in the movement. Ghana was among the founding nations, with its first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, significantly contributing with Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and Sukarno of Indonesia.
The movement came about during the Cold War when newly sovereign and emerging nations aimed to have an autonomous foreign policy instead of officially aligning with either the Western or Soviet power factions.
In his address at the commemorative meeting, Mahama argued that NAM should move beyond declarations and strengthen its collective influence. He called for greater consultation and coordination among member states, particularly in international institutions such as the United Nations.
The President said the movement has to convert its foundational ideals into actionable measures as nations face issues like wars, climate change, artificial intelligence, digital disparity, and increasing developmental divides.
Mahama also highlighted the continued relevance of the principles that shaped NAM, including respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful coexistence and opposition to foreign domination.
He further paid tribute to Nkrumah and the other founding leaders, recalling their efforts to give newly independent nations a stronger voice in international affairs.
The significance of the Belgrade gathering is rooted in the movement’s history. The first NAM meeting occurred in the city on September 1, 1961, uniting nations aspiring for more autonomy in a world fragmented by Cold War tensions.
The movement has since expanded considerably. Ghana’s Information Services Department says NAM currently has 120 member states, making it a major platform for coordination among countries outside the traditional power blocs.
The 2026 commemoration is conducted under the topic, “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Insights for Contemporary Society.” Over 30 nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America are participating in the high-level conference.
Beyond the historical commemoration, the gathering is being used to consider how the movement can respond to modern international challenges. Discussions include peace and security, sustainable development, economic cooperation, climate change and reform of global governance institutions.
Mahama’s participation also comes alongside renewed Ghana-Serbia engagement. On the sidelines of the summit, the Ghanaian President held bilateral talks with President Vučić, while Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa separately met his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić, with agriculture cooperation among the areas discussed.
The summit provides an opportunity to connect its historical contribution to NAM with its current foreign-policy priorities. For the movement itself, the anniversary offers a chance to assess whether its principles can translate into greater collective influence in a changing international system.
Mahama’s central message was that the movement’s numerical strength should be matched by coordinated action. The anniversary therefore goes beyond a reflection on the past; it also raises questions about how NAM can remain relevant to the challenges facing developing countries today.
