KOREA-AFRICA SUMMIT: President Yoweri Museveni has called for maximum International cooperation and solidarity between States at the first ever Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul.
The president said that in this era of growing unipolarity and global tensions on the back of the worst COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that nations maintain a spirit of unwavering solidarity and cooperation.
“We must unequivocally reject isolationist tendencies that threaten international cooperation. By leveraging our unique strengths and sharing our experiences, we can create synergies that foster transformation, sustainable development and prosperity for all,” President Museveni said.
His message was contained in a speech read for him by the Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo at the official opening of the Korea-Africa summit today June 04, 2024.
The two-day summit is running under the theme; “Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity” in Seoul, Korea
President Museveni said it is imperative to emphasize that it is only when we strengthen sociopolitical-economic cooperation, that we will succeed in stimulating economic growth, expanding infrastructure development, trade, and investment, combating climate change, and creating jobs for our ever expanding population in Africa.
He emphasized therefore, that access to markets for both goods and services between Korea and Africa is one of the most prudent ways and mechanisms to create five inclusive economic opportunities for our people.
The president said by empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encouraging entrepreneurship, leading to job creation and fostering innovation will contribute to social Economic transformation of Africa.
He emphasized that by working together, we can overcome challenges, harness opportunities, and create a legacy of cooperation and prosperity that will benefit our people.
He called upon African states to seize this moment to deepen our ties, elevate our partnership, and pave the way for a new era of Korea-Africa relations.
The said this gathering marks a significant milestone in the history of our international relations, symbolizing a new chapter of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared aspirations between the Republic of Korea and the nations of Africa.
He said the Government of Uganda would also like to extend its continued support for the process of peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
“We welcome the dialogue and efforts between the leaders of the Republic of Korea and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and strongly believe that the only means to a solution will be through peaceful processes,” the president said.
For 61 years, since 1963, Uganda and Korea have enjoyed excellent and mutually beneficial political, economic and historical relations based on the principles of mutual respect and shared interests. Korea is our strategic partner in development.
It is our hope that this Summit whose theme is “Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity” shall enable African countries to mirror the economic progress that we see in Korea today the president said.
He said while the majority of our African countries are still grappling with how to tackle poverty and expand economic prosperity among our people, he looks to Korea as a shining beacon of how to advance through all the stages of comparative advantage, to successfully emerge in a transformative manner completely transformed on multiple fronts.
The president South Korea indeed pushed forward many social, educational, economic and governmental ‘reforms’ and launched industrialization and rural development in a ‘concurrent and concise’ manner to become a knowledge economy today.
The president added that though many of our African economies are primarily reliant on agricultural produce like cocoa, coffee and tea now, more than ever before with, increased vulnerability, fluctuations of international market prices, we look to Korea to share with them how to advance along our shared goals of sustainable growth in value addition.
He said their aim is a ‘structurally transformed’ economy, as laid out in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 adding that there is now a realization that it will be difficult to imagine having structural transformation of the economy without industrialization or a manufacturing sector.
The president said the globalized economy is reliant on technology, a sector that the Republic of Korea has continued to excel in and they therefore look forward to benefiting from the knowledge sharing and transfer from Korea.
He said as African states they will seize this moment, as this historical Summit is taking place, to articulate a clear cooperation direction between all sides adding that it is indeed within this context that Uganda sees the Korea-Africa partnership holding immense promise.
The president extended his heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, President Yoon Suk Yeol and the gracious people of the Republic of Korea for the warm reception and the outstanding hospitality.
