The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, which commenced on Monday, January 15, at the Speke Resort Conference Centre in Munyonyo, wrapped up on Saturday, January 20. The government reports an impressive turnout, with 117 out of the expected 120 delegates attending.
The delegation comprised 28 presidents, five vice presidents, seven prime ministers, and 45 foreign ministers. Notable figures leading other countries included speakers of parliament or their permanent representatives from the United Nations in New York. Additionally, the summit hosted 10 observer countries and international organizations, including the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis, and the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
Guterres, who arrived on Saturday, participated in the summit’s concluding sessions and is slated to attend the G77+China summit starting on Sunday. Despite earlier travel advisories from the US and the UK, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo affirmed that the event experienced no organizational or security challenges.
Speaking on a local radio talk show in Kampala, Opondo expressed satisfaction with the attendance, attributing it to the confidence NAM members have in the Ugandan government. He sees the summit as a platform for fostering tourism, investment, and trade development with other nations.
Opondo’s update followed the presentation of document outcomes by NAM foreign ministers to their respective heads of state. The government spokesman highlighted the unusual unanimity among heads of state on all positions from the first day, emphasizing meticulous preparation in drafting the documents.
The summit addressed various global issues, including the conflict in Gaza, Palestine, condemning Israel for indiscriminate bombings and advocating for a two-state solution. NAM countries also addressed conflicts in the Far East, particularly in the South China Sea, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to global peace and stability.
