KAMPALA –General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, has assumed the role of Chair of the Ministerial Meeting of the 19th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The announcement came during the Ministerial Meeting held today, January 17, in Kampala, Uganda, as part of the 19th NAM Summit.
Addressing the gathering, General Abubakhar expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Uganda for hosting the summit and extended his appreciation to all the NAM member states for their attendance and patience, as the event was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Abubakhar acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Republic of Azerbaijan during its chairmanship, describing it as exemplary, especially amid the challenges posed by the pandemic. He expressed his deep appreciation to Azerbaijan for successfully completing its term and paving the way for Uganda’s chairmanship.
In his address, General Abubakhar outlined Uganda’s vision for its tenure as Chair of the Ministerial Meeting. He emphasized the continued relevance of the Non-Aligned Movement’s objectives and principles in the face of current international challenges. Uganda is committed to working with all member states to uphold and protect these principles.
Under Uganda’s leadership, the focus will be on various critical areas, including international peace and security, the fight against terrorism, addressing humanitarian crises, combating human trafficking and drug smuggling, and advancing Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. General Abubakhar stressed that achieving tangible progress in these areas would require close cooperation and collaboration among NAM member states and like-minded partners.
He called upon all member states to work alongside Uganda in promoting a stronger and united NAM that is cohesive and contributes to a better world for all. General Abubakhar underscored the importance of such unity to ensure the organization’s continued relevance and influence in international decision-making processes.
The assumption of the Chair by General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar marks a new chapter in the history of the Non-Aligned Movement as member states gather to address pressing global challenges under Uganda’s leadership. The commitment to unity and cooperation among member states, as articulated by General Abubakhar, provides a hopeful outlook for the future of the NAM.