BAKU – AZERBAIJAN: Hon. Gen Jeje Abubakhar Odongo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented the Government of the Republic of Uganda at the recently concluded Summit level meeting of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) contact group in response to COVID-19 which took place on 2nd March 2023 in Baku – Azerbaijan.
In his remarks, the Minister conveyed a message of gratitude on behalf of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda to H.E. President IIham ALIYEV, and the Government the of the Republic of Azerbaijan for organizing this crucial Summit-level meeting.
He further underscored that this Summit-level meeting is a valuable platform for exchanging information between member States and Organizations on lessons learned from the combating the COVID-19 pandemic that will be vital in collectively responding to future global threats and emergencies.
Hon. Odongo reiterated the commendable strides taken to respond to post-pandemic challenges that the Non-Aligned Movement has taken since the outbreak of the pandemic, stressing that Member States must build upon these efforts & follow-up with concerted post-covid recovery measures.
He registered Government of Uganda’s immense gratitude to bilateral and multilateral partners that supported her response to the COVID-19 challenge.
The Minister further recognised the need to scale up cooperation in enhancing capacity to manufacture vaccines and resource mobilization to support efforts to mitigate the impact of pandemics.
In this regard, the Minister commended the Government of Azerbaijan for the donation of One Million dollars towards supporting the recovery of Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He, however, noted that the global support to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been insufficient and called for more comprehensive actions, including debt relief package, debt cancellations, easy access to concessional finance and building capacity of developing countries to develop vaccines nationally and regionally.
The Minister also appreciated NAM for the efforts rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic and further called for Member States of NAM to be resilient and unite to combat new and emerging threats.
As Uganda assumes Chair of the Organization in January 2024, the Minister reiterated the readiness of the Government of Uganda to meaningfully contribute to the efforts of the global community in tackling shared challenges.
He reaffirmed willingness to cooperate with the NAM and expressed support to the NAM initiative on establishing UN High-Level Panel on post-COVID-19 Global Recovery, with a task of working out recommendations for the post-pandemic recovery.
With two-thirds of the UN Member States, the Non-Aligned Movement has a critical role to play in revitalizing multilateral cooperation and forging a new social contract based on inclusivity and sustainability.
In conclusion, Hon. Odongo commended the NAM Members States for the confidence entrusted to Uganda to Chair the NAM Movement for the period 2023 – 2026 and to host the 19th Summit of the NAM
Heads of State and Government in Kampala.
The Minister further informed that preparations for hosting the Summit are on course and Uganda will work with all NAM Member States to prepare to deliver a successful Summit.
“It is our conviction, that with your unwavering support, the Summit will be a monumental success and its outcomes will further strengthen our Movement. We look forward to the participation of your respective delegations at the highest level.” the Minister reiterated.
The Summit was attended by Heads of State and Government of about 70 countries, including Presidents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Libya. Vice Presidents of Cuba, Gabon, Tanzania, Prime Ministers of Algeria and Kenya, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors and other high-level Representatives of various countries, Heads of International organizations – Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office at Geneva (UN Geneva) Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
NAM is an International organisation consisting of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
It aims at creating dialogue for a peaceful and Prosperous world in a just and equitable order. It is the largest grouping of Member states worldwide after the United Nations (UN).
Uganda will host the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit under the theme “Deepening cooperation for Shared Global Affluence” and will take over Chairmanship of the organization from the Republic of Azerbaijan.
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda will officially open this Summit at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in January 2024.