Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar Champions Africa’s Integration Agenda at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye
Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, has actively participated in a high level panel discussion at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which took place from April 11th to 13th, 2025, under the theme "Connecting Africa. A Prospect for Continental Integration."
During the panel, Hon. Odongo emphasized the critical need to enhance connectivity across Africa through robust infrastructure development, increased intra continental trade, and expanded digital integration. He underscored the importance of transitioning Africans into the money economy, promoting value addition in production, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and building a unified continental market.
On the sidelines of the forum, Hon. Odongo held bilateral talks with several counterparts to strengthen Uganda's diplomatic and development agenda.
In a meeting with H.E. Yvangil Pinto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the two ministers discussed enhancing bilateral ties, including finalizing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) across various areas of cooperation. They also agreed to convene the Uganda-Venezuela Joint Permanent Commission in September 2025 and exchanged views on global issues, with Venezuela expressing support for Uganda’s leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Hon. Odongo also met H.E. Jurai Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia. The two ministers discussed deepening bilateral relations and establishing a framework for cooperation between Uganda and Slovakia. They also agreed to coordinate more closely in multilateral forums.
On the regional front, Hon. Odongo engaged in strategic dialogue with Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The two leaders reaffirmed the strong Kenya-Uganda partnership and discussed advancing peace efforts in South Sudan, Sudan, and eastern DRC. They called for a united East African Community (EAC) approach through African-led solutions for sustainable regional stability.
In a separate meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Hon. Odongo discussed key bilateral and regional issues. Both ministers stressed the importance of addressing regional challenges comprehensively to ensure lasting peace and security.
Additionally, Hon. Odongo met with Mr. Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. Their discussions focused on potential collaboration in science, technology, and innovation, with an emphasis on capacity building and project implementation in Uganda.
Uganda’s active participation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum highlights its commitment to regional integration, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development.
