The chairperson of the National Organization Committee (NOC) for Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G77)+ China summits 2024, Lucy Nakyobe, has inspected the newly refurbished Entebbe International Airport to confirm its preparedness and readiness for the upcoming two summits.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nakyobe was accompanied by the Minister of Security, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Jim Muhwezi, Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala and other NOC committee members.
Uganda will host the 19th NAM summit from January 15 to 20, 2024, at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. Thereafter, the G77+China conference will take place from January 21 to 23, at the same venue.
At the events, Uganda will assume the chairmanship of NAM for three years and, G77+China for one year, which will come along with a boost to the economy, according to the foreign affairs ministry.
The upgrading and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is being undertaken by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
The newly-built 10,000 square-meter cargo center was commissioned in April and construction of a new terminal building covering an area of 20,000 square meters is half-way complete.
Meanwhile, Speke Resort Convention Center, the venue for NAM and G77 summits, is ready with sparkling floors and glistening chandeliers, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Government has since booked over 5000 hotel rooms around Kampala and Entebbe to accommodate the guests.
Over 1500 delegates are expected into the country including a good number of Heads of State who have confirmed their attendance.
According to the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagiire, some delegations are already in excess of 40 people which is good for the economy because all those people come in will dollars.
About NAM/G77
The NAM was estiablished in 1961 as a movement primarily to contribute to the decolonisation of countries that had not yet gotten their independence.
It has a membership of 120 countries with set principles, which include respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal matters of states, respect for fundamental human rights, among others.
The G77+China, was established in 1964 originally by 77 countries. However, the G77 today boasts of a membership of 134 counties mainly from Africa and Asia. It aims at promoting economic development in the greater South (developing countries). It was named G77+China because at one time, China was a developing country, but it has since progressed out of the bracket.
