On the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, Hon. Amb. Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, undertook a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements aimed at strengthening international partnerships, advancing development cooperation and contributing to global efforts on peace, health, climate action and sustainable development.

Hon. Ayebare held bilateral discussions with foreign ministers and senior officials from Morocco, Zambia, Norway, Nepal, Panama, Singapore, Thailand, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on bilateral relations, regional and global issues of mutual interest, and opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

In his engagement with H.E. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, and H.E. Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia, discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations. His meeting with H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development of Norway, addressed development cooperation, regional matters and preparations for the forthcoming Nordic-Africa Foreign Affairs meeting in Oslo. 

He also briefed H.E. Shishir Khanal, Foreign Minister of Nepal, on preparations for the forthcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting, while discussions with Panama explored avenues for strengthening Uganda-Panama relations.

Hon. Ayebare also met Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, who briefed him on Commonwealth priorities and preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November. He further participated in a high-level meeting of Global South countries hosted by India, followed by discussions with H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, underscoring Uganda’s commitment to South-South cooperation.

Health diplomacy featured prominently during the engagements. At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on accelerating collective action to defeat Ebola, Hon. Ayebare shared Uganda’s experience in responding to Ebola outbreaks, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, community trust, resilient health systems and transparency in effective disease prevention and response.

Uganda also strengthened cooperation with Austria through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Development, Migration and Mobility between Hon. Ayebare and Austrian Foreign Minister H.E. Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

On peace and security, Hon. Ayebare addressed the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation, where he emphasized the importance of coordinated approaches to conflict prevention and mediation, citing the African Peace and Security Architecture as an example of structured regional cooperation.

In his capacity as Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), Hon. Ayebare also participated in consultations on the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement processes, with discussions focusing on preparations for COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

The Minister’s engagements further contributed to addressing travel and mobility concerns affecting Uganda. He thanked the Governments of Mauritius and Thailand for decisions to lift travel restrictions on Ugandan travelers, including Ebola-related restrictions. During his meeting with Hon. Sihasak Phuangket, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, he expressed appreciation for Thailand’s decision and acknowledged the cooperation of the Thai Embassy in Nairobi, which is accredited to Uganda.

In a meeting with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Hon. Ayebare was informed of the UAE’s decision to lift travel restrictions on Uganda, subject to a UAE delegation visiting the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant entities to assess Uganda’s preparedness.

Discussions with H.E. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly increasing trade and coordination within multilateral forums. His meeting with H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo, addressed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

During UNGA81, Hon. Ayebare also bid farewell to UN Secretary-General António Guterres upon completing his tour of duty as Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations. Reflecting on their longstanding working relationship since 2017, Hon. Ayebare described the Secretary-General as a close colleague and father figure who consistently checked on his wellbeing. He highlighted their collaboration on key UN processes, including the Buenos Aires Plan of Action on South-South Cooperation (BAPA/BUPA), Pact for the Future, Financing for Development, UN75, UN80 reforms, the UN budget, support to the Entebbe Regional Service Centre, reform of the UN Development System, and regional peace and security.

Hon. Ayebare noted that Secretary-General Guterres had visited Uganda twice during his tenure and wished him well during his remaining months in office, describing him as one of the most consequential Secretaries-General of the United Nations.

The engagements at UNGA81 demonstrate Uganda’s active diplomatic footprint and commitment to advancing its national interests through constructive bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation and South-South partnerships, while contributing to international efforts in peace and security, health, sustainable development, climate action and global cooperation.

Hon. Ayebare signing an MoU with his Austrian counterpart H.E. Bette Meinl- Reisinger on the sidelines of the UNGA 81

Hon. Adonia in a bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. S Jaishankar the Minister of External Affairs India

Hon. Ayebare took part in the signing ceremony of the European Union Global Green Bond initiative.

Hon. Ayebare met with H.E Asmund Grover Aukurst Minister of International Development of Norway on the sidelines of UNGA 81

Hon. Ayebare held bilateral talks with H.E Nasser Bourita the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Morocco.

H.E. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria in a bilateral meeting with Hon. Adonia Ayebare

Hon. Ayebare and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates on the Sidelines of UNGA81

Hon. Ayebare in a meeting at UNGA 81 in New York

Hon. Ayebare shaking hands with his counterpart Minister from Mauritius at the UNGA 81

Hon. Adonia shaking hands with the UN Secretary General as he bids farewell to him after is Tour of Duty as Uganda’s Ambassador to the UN

Hon. Ayebare shaking hands with his counterpart Minister of Thailand, Hon. Sihasak Phuangket

Hon. Ayebare holding bilateral discussions with H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo