RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on BRICS partner states to adopt sustainable measures to protect the environment for the benefit of future generations.
Speaking through Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, who represented him at the official opening of the 17th BRICS Summit of Heads of State in Rio de Janeiro, President Museveni emphasized the global challenge of balancing environmental conservation with economic development, particularly in relation to the exploitation of fossil fuel resources.
“The international community faces a dilemma—how to sustainably protect and preserve the environment while continuing to develop essential resources,” Museveni noted. “Despite numerous international initiatives and mechanisms, the need for a delicate balance between development and environmental conservation remains critical.”
President Museveni urged BRICS nations to lead the way in crafting and implementing sustainable solutions to climate change and environmental degradation. He commended the Brazilian presidency of BRICS for prioritizing climate change on this year’s agenda, continuing momentum built by previous BRICS chairs.
He also highlighted the upcoming COP-30 summit under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a strategic opportunity for BRICS to influence global consensus and action on environmental issues.
“COP-30 presents a chance for Brazil and the broader BRICS community to shape the global narrative on sustainability, particularly in areas like climate finance, green energy, and responsible fossil fuel use,” he said.
President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance and emphasized the need for the international community to move from policy to action—especially on critical matters like climate financing.
On global health, the president drew attention to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the importance of solidarity and international cooperation. He stressed the need for increased funding for vaccine production, pandemic preparedness, and global health systems, urging BRICS to play a leading role in mobilizing international support.
“With declining support for institutions like the World Health Organization, BRICS must step forward to ensure sustained investment in global health,” Museveni said. “A holistic approach to global health financing is urgently needed, particularly for pandemic preparedness and the fight against endemic diseases.”
He concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s alignment with the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases and its support for BRICS initiatives on climate change and global health.
