As the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit enters its fourth day in Kampala, the event remains a focal point for ministers and heads of government engaged in interactive discussions. The summit, which began earlier in the week, has been marked by various sessions and closed-door meetings, bringing together leaders from member states.
Day Four Program Highlights
Today’s agenda includes a continuation of the ministerial meeting throughout the morning, leading up to a lunch break. The closed-door plenary session is set to feature interactions among ministers and heads of delegation. Notably, speakers from each member state are restricted to speeches lasting no more than four minutes. Later in the day, the plenary session will review and adopt crucial documents, including the Final Kampala Outcome Document, Kampala Declaration, and Declaration on Palestine.
The chair of the NAM ministerial meeting, Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo, is slated to deliver the closing statement. Furthermore, additional heads of state and government are expected to arrive, with Presidents Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) already present.
Related Engagements and Developments
On the sidelines of the summit, the East Africa Trade and Investment Forum, concluding today, has been encouraging prospective investors to contribute to Uganda’s economic growth. President Yoweri Museveni has met with Moroccan investor Hassan Berkani, discussing opportunities for adding value to Ugandan coffee and diversifying investments across various sectors.
President Museveni emphasized the need to break free from raw-material dependency, encouraging Berkani to contribute to Uganda’s journey of adding value to its resources. Berkani, in turn, pledged to export enhanced Ugandan coffee to Morocco and Europe, expressing interest in sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and industry.
UN Security Council Reforms Take Center Stage
A significant point of discussion at the summit revolves around Africa’s demand for permanent representation on the UN Security Council. Uganda’s foreign affairs state minister, Henry Okello Oryem, highlighted Africa’s exclusion despite being the subject of 75% of Security Council discussions. The call for two permanent seats with veto rights for Africa is a key agenda item.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, echoed the sentiment, advocating for urgent reforms in the UN Security Council to include African, Asian, and Latin American countries as permanent members.
Cultural Gala Dinner Caps Off Busy Day Three
After a day of intensive meetings, NAM foreign ministers and heads of delegations enjoyed a cultural gala dinner at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel in Kigo. Hosted by the newly elected chairman, Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo, the dinner blended culture, entertainment, and showcased Uganda’s identity as the Pearl of Africa.
