President John Dramani Mahama has used the occasion of the 65th Anniversary Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, Serbia, to rally international support for war-torn Sudan.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Mahama said in Sudan, the world had too often appeared to turn its back on the people who were enduring the world’s largest and worst humanitarian crisis, with over 12 million people possibly displaced, widespread hunger and grave violations against civilians.

He said the international community must give Sudan the sustained political attention, humanitarian support and commitment to peace that its people urgently deserve.

President Mahama said in Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic.

“Civilians continue to face severe constraints on humanitarian access and critical shortages affecting food, water, health care and electricity,” he said.

“We must insist on the protection of civilians’ full and unhindered humanitarian access. We also reject the selective application of the principles of the United Nations Charter.

He reiterated Ghana’s call to the long-standing economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

He noted that unilateral, coercive measures that undermine sovereign equality, non-interference and purposes and principles of the Charter weaken the multilateral system they all agreed to defend.

Adding that development remains central to the enduring principles of the Non-Aligned Movement.

President Mahama said political independence was more meaningful when it was accompanied by the economic capacity to pursue national priorities.

He said resource sovereignty must be at the heart of their development agenda.

“We cannot accept a global order in which countries of the Global South remain exporters of raw material and importers of village goods, while our people bear the environmental and social costs of extraction.” President Mahama said.

He said climate change presents another area where their collective voice must remain strong; declaring that their planet was at risk.

He said fires in southern Europe, droughts and desertification in Africa, flash floods in China and Nepal due to melting ice glaciers must leave no reasonable person in doubt that climate change and global warming were real.

“We must speak with one united voice to advance advocacy and action on climate change. Excellencies, our diversity is a source of strength.”

President Mahama said by building on their shared interests, they could strengthen the collective voice of the Non-Aligned Movement and focus their efforts where they make a meaningful difference.

He said Ghana remains committed to working with all members of the Non-Aligned Movement to strengthen multilateralism, advance a fairer international order and ensure the voice of the Global South carries greater weight.

“As we look to the future, our direction remains clear. Neither East nor West, but forward together,” President Mahama stated.

“With principle, purpose and confidence, let us renew the spirit of Belgrade and translate our collective strength into practical action for the benefits of our people.”

GNA.