Dennis Francis, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, arrives in Uganda for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit and the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China. A seasoned diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, Francis has been his country’s permanent representative to the UN in New York since 2021.
Elected as President of the UN General Assembly on June 1, 2023, at the 78th session, Francis commenced his term on September 5, 2023. His visit underscores the significance of the NAM Summit and the parallel Third South Summit, where key economic interests and collective bargaining power within the UN are discussed by a coalition of 135 developing countries known as the Group of 77.
The NAM, comprising 120 nations, operates on the principle of neutrality in international power blocs since its establishment in 1961. The ongoing summit, taking place at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort from January 15 to 20, 2024, revolves around the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.”
Simultaneously, from January 21 to 23, the same venue hosts the Third South Summit under the framework of the Group of 77 and China, emphasizing the theme “Leaving no one behind.” Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni extends a warm welcome to Heads of State and Government, Heads of Delegations, and all delegates attending both summits at the Munyonyo Convention Centre.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan is among the distinguished leaders who have arrived for the summit. Okello Oryem, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, reports that 58 ministers participated in the NAM ministerial meeting that commenced on January 17, 2024. Expectations initially anticipated 28 heads of state to attend the NAM summit.
