01/09/2026
On the instructions of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Kaïs Saïed, Mr. Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, headed the Tunisian delegation participating in the High-Level Meeting to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the convening of the first Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Belgrade on 31 August and 1 September 2026.
In an address delivered on this occasion, the Secretary of State affirmed that Tunisia, which has been part of the historical process of the Movement since its early beginnings, has remained faithful to the principles upon which it was founded, as well as to its choices and principled positions in defending the sovereignty of States and their independent decision-making, and the right of peoples to freedom, development and a dignified life.
He stressed the importance of the Non-Aligned Movement in the current delicate international context, recalling the circumstances surrounding its emergence in an international environment marked by acute polarization and division, as well as the emergence of risks threatening international peace and security. He also recalled the meeting of the Movement’s founding fathers in Belgrade, who drew inspiration from the noble principles laid down by the Bandung Conference, affirming that States and peoples have the right to freely and independently choose their national paths, away from external pressures and dictates.
In this regard, the Secretary of State affirmed that, although the historical circumstances that led to the establishment of the Movement have changed, the close link between its founding principles and the preservation of international peace and security has not faded with the passage of time.
He further stressed the need for the Non-Aligned Movement to fully assume its role on the international stage and to contribute effectively, as a platform for diplomatic coordination, to establishing international relations that safeguard national independence and sovereignty, uphold justice and equality among States and peoples, and promote development for all. He called for reflection on a renewed impetus for the Movement, commensurate with the challenges at hand and the expectations of our peoples, as well as for concrete steps to strengthen the unity and cohesion of the Movement.
The Secretary of State also stressed that the Palestinian cause remains the central cause, and that the responsibility of the international community, with the Non-Aligned Movement at its forefront, requires continuing to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. In this context, he recalled Tunisia’s steadfast position in support of the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their inalienable rights, foremost among them their right to self-determination and to establish their independent State on their entire territory, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, to bring the occupation by the occupying entity to an end, and to reject all attempts to impose a fait accompli.
