Hassan Sheikh Mohamud participated in a high-level meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, marking the 65th anniversary of the first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held from September 1 to 2, 2026.

The Somali leader headed Somalia’s delegation to the gathering, which commemorated the historic 1961 Belgrade conference that laid the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement.

Somalia’s participation highlighted its continued engagement in international forums and its commitment to strengthening ties with NAM member states.

Discussions at the meeting focused on state sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful conflict resolution, international cooperation, and global peace.

Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country’s participation at the highest level reflected its commitment to the core principles of the movement.

Belgrade holds special significance in NAM’s history as the host city of the organization’s first summit, attended by 25 countries during the Cold War era.

Sixty-five years later, the Serbian capital once again hosted leaders and officials to reflect on the movement’s legacy and its relevance in today’s geopolitical landscape.

During his visit, President Hassan Sheikh also had the opportunity to engage with leaders and officials from various countries, promoting Somalia’s diplomatic interests and expanding international partnerships.

The visit provided Somalia with a platform to present its views on global issues while exploring new opportunities for cooperation, investment, development assistance, and security partnerships.

It also offered an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations with Serbia in areas including diplomacy, education, security, and economic cooperation.

Somalia has increasingly sought to deepen its engagement with countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond as it works to expand its diplomatic reach and international partnerships.