The Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Jeje Odongo, has urged Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states to handle global existing and emerging issues collectively for the good of mankind.

General Odongo made these remarks during his opening statements at the NAM summit, which kicked off at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Monday, January 15, 2024.

He acknowledged that, in the face of so many challenges faced globally, like terrorism, climate change, debt burden, and famine, among others, it is necessary that the summit held under the theme “depending on cooperation for shared global affluence” tackle such issues.

“NAM remains an important organisation, and given the increasingly complex international situation, the ten-point Bandung principles continue to be as relevant today,” General Odongo said.

He also called upon the delegates not to limit themselves to the summit alone but to explore other parts of Uganda as a whole.

“I encourage you all, during the course of the summit, not to limit yourselves to the conference alone but to tour other parts of the country, because Uganda is a beautiful country,” he added.

The core principles of the Bandung conference were to determine political independence, self-determination, mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and equality. These issues are of central importance to all participants in the conference, most of which have recently emerged from colonial rule.

The 19th Summit is taking place from January 15th to 20th, 2024, at Speke Resort Munyonyo.