President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to BRICS partner states to adopt sustainable measures to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
He noted that the international community faces a dilemma in striking a sustainable balance between development and environmental conservation.
“Significant efforts have been made through different international mechanisms and processes. However, the delicate balance between the need to develop our fossil fuel reserves and protecting the environment remains a crucial matter,” he said.
The President stressed the need for BRICS member states to devise sustainable approaches to environmental protection and climate change mitigation.
His remarks were delivered on his behalf by the Vice President and Katakwi District Woman MP, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, during the official opening ceremony of the 17th BRICS Summit of Heads of State in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Uganda has officially been recognized as a BRICS partner state, presenting an opportunity for the East African country to deepen ties with some of the world’s largest markets and accelerate its development.
Uganda joined BRICS as a partner state, along with eight other countries, in January 2025. Today, BRICS nations represent more than half of the world’s population.
President Museveni welcomed the Brazilian Presidency’s decision to make climate change a top priority for BRICS this year, continuing the strong emphasis placed by previous BRICS presidencies.
“The forthcoming COP-30 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an opportunity for Brazil and BRICS to shape the narrative for sustainable international action and consensus on issues of environment and climate change,” he said.
He underscored the importance of translating international commitments into concrete action, adding that BRICS can lead these efforts, especially in critical areas such as climate financing, green energy, and the sustainable exploitation of fossil fuels with due regard for environmental impacts.
Addressing the two-day summit, President Museveni affirmed Uganda’s support for the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, noting that global health also remains a major concern for both developed and emerging economies.
“Global pandemics such as COVID-19 demonstrated the need for solidarity and partnership in mitigating future pandemics. At the heart of these efforts are matters related to vaccine production and funding,” he explained.
Museveni called on BRICS to take a leading role in mobilizing international funding and action on global health issues, especially in light of declining support for institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) from some sections of the international community.
“Global health is a priority for the international community, and there is an urgent need to adopt a holistic approach to address its funding, both for pandemics and other diseases,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s full support for BRICS positions on global health and aligning with the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases.
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