High-Level Commemorative Meeting Marking the 65th Anniversary of the First Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries

The heads of delegation of thirty-six countries were welcomed to the Palace of Serbia by President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić.

In their opening addresses, President Vučić and Vice President of the Republic of Uganda Jessica Alupo, whose country currently chairs the Non-Aligned Movement, underscored the Movement’s historic contribution to the development of contemporary international relations and to enshrining its fundamental principles — including sovereignty and territorial integrity, the sovereign equality of states and respect for international law — as universal tenets of international relations.

In his welcoming remarks introducing the addresses by President Vučić and Vice President Alupo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić emphasised Serbia’s pride in Belgrade’s historic role as the city that hosted the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement 65 years ago.

Đurić reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to preserving and fostering the legacy of friendship, openness and dialogue.

He recalled that, in 1961, Belgrade brought together leaders from across the world, united by a shared commitment to dialogue, sovereign equality and mutual respect.

“On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, I wish to extend a warm welcome to you all to Belgrade, the birthplace of the Non-Aligned Movement,” Đurić said, addressing the participants gathered at the Palace of Serbia.

He added that the legacy of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement retains particular significance today, at a time when the international community is once again confronted with profound divisions and numerous challenges.

The first session of the plenary segment of the meeting is chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Đuro Macut, while Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić chairs the second session.

The Belgrade meeting also provides an important opportunity for numerous bilateral meetings, further contributing to the strengthening of mutual understanding and cooperation among participating countries.

Sixty-five years on, Belgrade, the birthplace of the Non-Aligned Movement, remains a place of dialogue, peace and cooperation. Serbia remains committed to preserving and fostering the historic legacy of the Non-Aligned Movement and, by hosting the Commemorative Meeting in Belgrade, reaffirms the continued relevance of the values and principles that brought together the Movement’s founders.