By Richard Onapatum
At the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul, President Yoweri Museveni called for robust international cooperation and solidarity. Addressing global tensions and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Museveni, via a speech delivered by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, urged nations to reject isolationism and leverage their unique strengths for mutual prosperity.
“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,” Museveni declared.
Museveni emphasized that enhancing socio-political and economic cooperation is crucial for stimulating growth, infrastructure development, and job creation. He advocated for expanding market access between Korea and Africa and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to drive innovation and economic transformation. “By empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encouraging entrepreneurship, leading to job creation and fostering innovation, we will contribute to the socio-economic transformation of Africa,” he stated.
Highlighting the significance of the summit, Museveni noted the 61-year history of beneficial relations between Uganda and Korea, expressing hope that African countries can emulate Korea’s economic progress. “We look 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,” he said. He praised Korea’s comprehensive reforms and industrialization, urging African nations to adopt similar strategies for sustainable development.
Museveni also reiterated Uganda’s support for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, saying, “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.”
Concluding his address, Museveni expressed gratitude to President Yoon Suk Yeol and the people of Korea for their hospitality, envisioning a new era of Korea-Africa relations marked by cooperation, mutual respect, and shared growth. “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,” he remarked.