UK (Commonwealth Union)_ The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, is set to participate as a Special Guest in the Non-Aligned Movement Heads of State and Government Summit in Kampala, Uganda, taking place from January 19 to 20, 2024. The Non-Aligned Movement, established in 1961, consists mainly of developing nations collaborating to promote shared interests, with 44 of its 120 members overlapping with the Commonwealth.
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During her attendance, Secretary-General Scotland will engage with leaders from Commonwealth nations, seeking their insights on economic and environmental challenges and working together on strategies to provide more targeted assistance. Additionally, she will update leaders on the preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled for October in Samoa. Expressing gratitude for the invitation from President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Secretary-General Scotland commended his leadership as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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Addressing the summit’s theme of ‘deepening cooperation for shared global affluence,’ she highlighted the challenges faced by developing countries, such as the aftermath of COVID-19, rising debt, inflation pressures, and escalating climate extremes. She stated, “Many developing countries have made considerable progress to improve the well-being of their people. But they are now bearing the brunt of a myriad of crises, with the lingering effects of COVID-19, soaring debt, inflation pressures, and intensifying climate extremes and disasters. The absence of adequate international support forces them to commit more of their limited resources to protecting their people from these crises, which further compounds their challenges, eroding hard-earned progress on poverty, inequality, and development and pushing many countries to the edge”.
To address these challenges, the Secretary-General Scotland emphasized the need for increased cooperation and solidarity. She underscored the importance of the Non-Aligned Movement’s voice and positioned the Commonwealth as a trusted partner in achieving a peaceful, just, and sustainable future. She added, “To tackle these overlapping challenges, we need more cooperation and solidarity than ever before. The voice of the Non-Aligned Movement is essential, and the Commonwealth stands as a trusted partner in achieving our shared vision for a peaceful, just, and sustainable future for all.”
During her engagements, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will advocate for immediate reforms in the global financial system to cater to the needs of developing nations. She will discuss the Commonwealth’s Universal Vulnerability Index, emphasizing its role in targeting international finance, including aid and debt relief, for countries requiring support. Furthermore, she will share insights on advancements made at the previous year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and the Commonwealth’s targeted support in translating climate commitments into action. Notably, Secretary-General Scotland will highlight the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has disbursed US $322 million to 17 vulnerable nations, with an extra US $500 million in the pipeline.
Additionally, she will spotlight the Commonwealth’s coordinated efforts to address ocean challenges through the Commonwealth Blue Charter, address land degradation issues via the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter, and advocate for a just energy transition through the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda. During her stay in Kampala, the Secretary-General is anticipated to engage with government ministers, senior officials, and other public representatives to explore ways to strengthen the ongoing cooperation.
