Odongo pushes infrastructure, trade agenda at Antalya Forum

Foreign affairs minister Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar represented Uganda at the 2025 Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, highlighting the urgency of enhancing connectivity across Africa through infrastructure, trade, and digital integration.

The minister also addressed the challenges and opportunities for African integration, emphasising the importance of transitioning more Africans into the money economy, adding value to production, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and building a continental single market, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an international platform organised by the Turkish government that annually brings together world leaders, researchers, and policymakers to exchange views on global issues.

The 2025 edition marked the fourth consecutive forum, held in the city of Antalya from April 11 to April 13, under the theme “Connecting Africa: A Prospect for Continental Integration.”

During the event, the Ministry said Gen. Odongo held talks with Yvangil Pinto, the Venezuelan foreign affairs minister.

“They discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, including negotiation and conclusion of MOUs in various fields of cooperation and the holding of the Uganda-Venezuela Joint Permanent Commission in September 2025. In addition, the two Ministers also shared views of global issues of mutual interest, including support for Uganda’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),” the Ministry said.

Gen. Odongo also met Jurai Blanar, Slovakia's minister of foreign and European affairs.

The two ministers exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and agreed to pursue the establishment of a framework for cooperation between Uganda and Slovakia, as well as to coordinate and collaborate in international fora.

At the regional level, Gen. Odongo held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.

According to the Ministry, both countries reiterated their commitment to deepening Kenya-Uganda ties, guided by mutual interests and regional solidarity.

Key issues discussed included the pursuit of lasting peace in South Sudan, Sudan, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both ministers resolved to rally East African Community (EAC) partners towards stronger, coordinated action through African-led frameworks for sustainable solutions.

In a similar vein, Gen. Odongo also held a bilateral meeting with Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda's foreign affairs minister.

The Ministry said the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional matters of mutual concern, reiterating the need to address emerging challenges in a holistic manner to ensure sustainable peace and security.

Gen. Odongo also met with Deodat Maharaj, the managing director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.

The two discussed potential areas of cooperation, including capacity building and implementation of projects in science, technology, and innovation in Uganda.