Africa-Press – Botswana. Uganda Vice President, Ms Jessica Alupo has called on Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states to engage in constructive conversation and establish lasting solution to new and emerging global challenges.
Ms Alupo made the call for solidarity among member states at the official opening of the ministers meeting at the ongoing 19th NAM Summit in Kampala, Uganda yesterday.
She said the meeting of member states came at a time when they were faced with tough times from the political and diplomatic front to social and economic.
“As countries of the global south, we have regularly come together to discuss issues of common interest and concern. This meeting is an opportunity for you to continue with the constructive conversation. There are many existing, new and emerging issues that challenge our individual and collective efforts towards building prosperous and resilient societies,” she said.
She noted the ongoing political tensions and conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestine conflict and Russia-Ukraine tension, which were matters of concern for everyone.
“They not only pose challenges to the core principles of our movement but also cause loss of human life, destruction of property and contribute to the already precarious humanitarian situation around the world,” she added.
Ms Alupo urged member states to abide by the NAM theme and deepen cooperation, which she said was the only mutually beneficial way to create global wealth and affluence.
She said deepening cooperation required removing barriers that impeded progress, supporting and facilitating regional trade, technological transfer, among others.
Incoming chairperson of the ministers meeting and also Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jeje Odongo applauded delegates for the unwavering support throughout the years since the inception of the movement.
He said the objectives of NAM remained relevant and urged member states to remain focused to fight off global challenges.
He urged all stakeholders to enable NAM to be influential in decision making at international levels.
The ministers meeting followed the meeting of senior officials who concluded their discussions on Tuesday and adopted the Kampala Final document, which was passed on to the ministers’ meeting sitting for further deliberation.
Briefing the media on activities of the senior officers’ plenary session, Uganda’s head of diplomacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Sam Omara said there were deliberations by the political as well as the economic and social affairs committees.
He said the political committee discussed among others the Middle East Peace process, Palestinian issues, situation in Syria and Lebanon.
Dr Omara said issues concerning Africa included Lybia, Somalia, Sudan, Central African Republic and Mali among others.
He added that the economic and social affairs committee discussed climate change, combating sand and storms and human trafficking among others.
Meanwhile, 93 out of 120 NAM nations are represented in Kampala for the summit.
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