19th NAM opens in Kampala, countries urged to collectively tackle existing and emerging issues
KAMPALA, January 15, 2024 – The 19th Non-Aligned Movement summit officially began today at Speke Resort, Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”.
The summit which has attracted over 1,000 delegates began with the Opening Session of the Senior Officials Meeting running from January 15-16, 2024, although it runs to January 20, 2024.
The summit brings 120 nations together to forge a path of cooperation and development among its member states, as well as explore shared goals for a resilient future.
Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeje Odongo welcomed delegates to Uganda. “On behalf of the government and people of Uganda, and on my own behalf, it is a pleasure to welcome everyone to Kampala, Uganda for the Senior Officials segment of the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the NAM Summit 2024.”
Odongo said NAM remains an important organisation given the increasingly complex international situation. “The 10 Bandung principles, which we all recollect, were enunciated in 1995 and continue to be as relevant today,” he said.
He said Uganda is a believes in multilateralism and solidarity. “Like I mentioned during the sixty years anniversary of the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement countries held in Belgrade in October 2021, Uganda believes that multilateralism and solidarity are required much more than ever.”
“I am also happy to note that member states have interacted with the Kampala Declaration, which is one of our outcome documents, with a lot of interest. This is indeed a call for cooperation and collaboration within the NAM membership. And this, I believe, will be emphasised in the outcome document.”
The minister urged the NAM delegates to address the existing and new emerging issues collectively and in the interest of our membership for the good of mankind.
He also said the debt burden was affecting development in some of NAM countries. “We also recognise challenges in financing for development and the very serious issue of the debt burden that paints a very depressing global economic outlook.”
“The deliberations during your session will be important as you seek common ground on all issues. I look forward to seeing the results of your meeting,” he said.
He also urged the NAM delegates to tour Uganda, and experience its beauty which consists of flora and fauna, among other physical features. “I want to encourage you during the course of the summit not to limit yourselves to this conference facility or indeed to Kampala city alone but also to find time to explore other parts of this country and to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna.
Meanwhile, Adonia Ayebare, the Permanent Representative of Uganda to the UN, was elected as the Chair for the Senior Officials’ meeting of the 19th NAM Summit.
Addressing NAM delegates, Ayebare said:” Colleagues, the task before me and all of us, senior officials, is to adopt the final outcome documents and the Kampala political document.”
NAM is the largest grouping of states worldwide after the United Nations. It originates from what has been referred to as the first large-scale Asian–African or Afro–Asian Conference, held on April 18-24, 1955. It is popularly known as the Bandung Conference [taking on the name of the City where it was held – Bandung, Indonesia].
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