Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), who has been the Deputy Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, has been appointed Chairperson for the summit’s imminent Senior Officials Meeting of Heads of States and Government of NAM.

Ayebare was appointed on Monday, January 15, 2024, during the opening ceremony of the Senior Officials segment of Heads of States and Government of NAM taking place at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo.

During the ceremony, Gen. Abubaker Jeje Odongo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, thanked the leadership of Azerbaijan for accepting to hold the Chair of the NAM for one more year due to the effects of COVID-19, whose pandemic made it a challenge for Uganda to host the summit at the time. He said that the organisation of NAM still remains relevant due to the complex international situation.

“NAM remains an important organization and given the increasingly complex international situation, the 10 Bandung principles continue to exist and still remain relevant,” he said.

John Mulimba, the State Minister for Regional Affairs, said that the summit will give Uganda an opportunity to be at the centre of global affairs while also supporting and promoting the interests of developing countries.

“The vision for Uganda is to build a strong and united NAM that contributes to a better and stronger world for all,” Mulimba noted.

The minister added that choosing the theme was based on the fact that some of the issues had emerged globally, and these required the group members’ engagement.

Ambassador Ayebare’s election comes with roles like steering the preparatory process for the summit and being responsible for coordinating the agenda, discussions, and outcomes that will be addressed by the heads of state and government officials.