All ministers and a dozen senior government officials in Uganda are set to undergo a crash course on proper conduct, good behavior, and etiquette in anticipation of the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Third South Summit. The summits are scheduled to kick off in Kampala next Monday, with high-profile events taking place at Entebbe International Airport and Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The protocol function of the summits will involve Cabinet Ministers, their juniors, and other high-ranking officials who will be responsible for receiving dignitaries. At least 100 countries have confirmed their attendance, with 27 Heads of State, five vice presidents, 45 foreign affairs ministers, and numerous ambassadors at the UN in New York expected to participate.
However, the representation by Heads of State is subject to change, as witnessed with Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro opting out. State Minister for International Relations, Mr. Henry Okello Oryem, confirmed the presence of 25 presidents but acknowledged the possibility of fluctuations in the coming days.
The training initiative for ministers and officials aims to prevent embarrassing incidents, such as pushing, bickering, and overexcitement. The focus is on maintaining decorum, avoiding political biases, and ensuring a smooth diplomatic atmosphere during the summits, which are expected to host between 1,000 and 1,500 delegates to discuss global issues.
Preparations for the summits are in full swing, with last-minute efforts including road patchwork, venue redecoration, and logistical arrangements by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors are returning to assist with the functions amid internal disputes among line ministers.
NAM, founded in 1961, comprises 120 developing countries from various continents and serves as a platform for collective voices from the global south. Uganda joins a select group of African nations that have hosted the summit. Initially slated for April 2020, the summit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 19th NAM summit, themed “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” is set to begin next Monday and will culminate in Uganda assuming the rotational chairmanship from Azerbaijan. The summit will build upon resolutions adopted during previous meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Isla Margarita, Venezuela.
As the chair country until 2027, Uganda faces the challenge of balancing the agenda of developing countries at the UN while navigating geopolitical complexities. The Kampala regime has maintained a neutral stance in recent years, abstaining from key votes at the UN General Assembly.
Following the NAM summit, the Third South Summit, under the theme “Leaving No One Behind,” will address social crises, climate change, trade, and investments. Uganda, assuming the chairmanship from Cuba, aims to display diplomatic dexterity in steering the G77+China alliance, a coalition of 134 countries promoting collective economic interests.
If successfully executed, the NAM and Third South Summit will be Uganda’s largest high-level event, with potential gains in diplomatic relations. Ambassador Adonia Ayebare emphasized the need for proactive and effective engagement to build lasting relations during these critical diplomatic gatherings.
