Uganda says BRICS unifying pillar in polarising world

RIO DE JANEIRO - Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeje Odongo has told a BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting in Brazil that the framework is a key voice of the Global South in a polarising world, especially in areas of trade, geopolitical spheres, and threatened role of multilateralism.

Odongo told the two-day meeting in Rio De Janeiro on April 29 that although the socio-economic and political tensions pose immense challenges to the Global South, they also create opportunities that can be harnessed through the BRICS framework.

The minister said Uganda sees its admission as a partner state of the BRICS as a major milestone in joining a bloc which shares similar aspirations.

"Uganda is very humbled, but at the same time excited and proud to be part of the BRICS, and to attend this inaugural meeting as a Partner State. Uganda is ready and committed to make a great contribution to the goals of the BRICS," Odongo said.

"We thank the founding Member States for opening up BRICS and allowing new members and partners to join the framework. This dynamism is a strong signal that BRICS is and will continue to be relevant and to grow across the globe," he added.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs for BRICS members and partner states during the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 29, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)

Uganda was admitted as a partner state to the BRICS in January this year.

Odongo also held a sideline meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in which they agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and pursue international issues of mutual interest.

The foreign affairs ministers in their meeting, which started on April 28, discussed an array of global issues ranging from socio-economic to geopolitical.

They described what they called indiscriminate raising of reciprocal tariffs and non-tariff measures as being inconsistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

They warned that those unilateral protectionist measures disrupt the global supply chain and bring more uncertainty to the global economy.

They urged all sides to take measures to defend free trade and a multilateral trading system, address current trade challenges and foster a favourable trade and investment environment for all.

A group picture of Ministers of Foreign Affairs for BRICS members and partner states taken during the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 29, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)

The ministers discussed the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, noting that a just and lasting solution to the conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and return.

They expressed concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan and regional spillover of the conflict. They called for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the conflict with engagement in peace talks as the only way to end the fighting.

The Ministers reiterated that the principle “African solutions to African problems” should continue to serve as the basis for conflict resolution on the African continent.

They recognised the critical role of the African Union in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa and reaffirmed their support for African peace efforts on the continent, including those undertaken by the African Union and African sub-regional organisations.