REMARKS BY HON. GEN. ODONGO JEJE ABUBAKHAR MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE MEETING OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE BRICS RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

• Your Excellency Mr. Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil

• Excellencies Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BRICS Member States and Partner States, 

• Distinguished Invited Guests,

• Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I bring you warm and fraternal greetings from H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda.

    

2. On this note, I wish to start by expressing Uganda’s most profound gratitude to the BRICS, for the gracious invitation given to my country to join BRICS as a Partner State. The invitation to join BRICS was wholesomely and enthusiastically embraced and supported by H.E the President, the Government and the People of Uganda.

    

3. Uganda is very humbled, but at the same time excited and proud to be part of the BRICS, and to attend this inaugural meeting as a Partner State. It is a great milestone for Uganda, which enjoys warm relations with the BRICS member states and partners, and has got a lot in common with them. Uganda is ready and committed to make a great contribution to the goals of the BRICS.

    

4. The changing global realities, in the socio-economic and political realms, pose immense challenges to the Global South, but also create opportunities to be harnessed. The increasing polarization in world trade, tensions in the geo-political spheres and the threatened role of multilateralism, all help to amplify the greater need for frameworks like BRICS to stand out firmly as the voice of the Global South.

    

5. I wish to pay glowing tribute to the founding members of the BRICS, for having sowed such a powerful seed that has grown to embrace many more. The sense of foresight and vision demonstrated by the founding members, is greatly applauded and appreciated.

   We thank the founding Member States for opening up BRICS and allowing new members and partners to join the framework. This dynamism is a strong signal that BRICS is and will continue to be relevant and to grow across the globe.

    

6. As a Partner State, Uganda is committed to play her role in the BRICS and strengthen the framework. Uganda will promote and protect the interests and aspirations of BRICS, and take part in all activities of the BRICS.

    

7. Without appearing to be Oliver Twist, Uganda is looking forward to becoming a full member of BRICS.

    

8. I wish to end by registering Uganda’s gratitude to the Federative Republic of Brazil, for inviting us to attend this meeting. I also wish to express my deepest thanks to the Government and People of Brazil for the warm welcome and hospitality, and the excellent manner in which this meeting has been organized and steered.

I thank you.