Hon. Henry Oryem Okello, Minister of State for International Cooperation, represented President Yoweri Museveni at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, held from September 1-3, 2024.
In his address on behalf of President Museveni, who currently chairs the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Hon. Okello highlighted the historic 1955 Bandung Conference, which established the 10 Bandung principles that have guided NAM’s mission ever since.
While acknowledging the progress made by NAM in promoting global peace, Okello pointed to the pressing challenge of fostering widespread economic prosperity and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He praised the strong bilateral ties between Indonesia and Uganda, as well as Africa at large, and emphasized the need to empower youth in the global economy through digitalization to drive growth.
Okello also advocated for expanding agricultural production through mechanization and irrigation to boost critical sectors.
Addressing the global issue of climate change, Hon. Okello stressed the importance of collective efforts to fulfill climate mitigation commitments.
However, he cautioned that such efforts should not hinder the economic development of developing nations.
He further highlighted the significance of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in transitioning to industrialization and recognized Indonesia’s success in tourism, suggesting Africa could learn from these advancements.
In addition to delivering the President’s statement, Hon. Okello also participated in a panel discussion on September 2, 2024, titled “Outlook from the Region: Update and Prospects for Cooperation.”
