By David Isabirye
The 63rd edition of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) forum has officially started at the lake-side Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda on Monday, 8th September 2025.
This is the second forum of this stature that Uganda is hosting after one in 1993.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the chief guest was ably represented by the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among.
The Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Jeje Odongo and Hon. Nobert Mao (Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs) were some of the other high-profile personalities in attendence.
The Forum followed a high-level pre-session visit of H.E. Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary-General of Asia-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) last month.
The Forum will discuss the law of the sea and diplomatic relations to human rights, environmental law, and international trade; Its contributions to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including concepts like the exclusive economic zone, and its role in shaping the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties demonstrate its significant impact on global legal frameworks, among others.
This forum will climax on Friday, 12th September 2025.
Here is President Museveni’s detailed speech (Verbatim):
Our handover to Uganda is made with confidence that Kampala will carry forward continuity, deeper cooperation, and practical outcomes for member states.
On behalf of His Excellency the President, the Government, and the people of Uganda, it is my profound honor to welcome the delegates from across Asia and Africa, as well as the esteemed observers and partners of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), to the Pearl of Africa for the 63rd Session of AALCO.
At this 63rd annual session, held on the serene shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort Munyonyo, we gather not just as representatives of nations but as custodians of a shared vision rooted in solidarity, equality, and the transformative power of international law.
Hosting the 63rd Session is a significant privilege for Uganda, marking the second time we have welcomed AALCO to our country. Uganda last hosted AALCO over thirty years ago, in 1993.
We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and wish to take this moment to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the organization’s objectives as a member state. The Annual Session is AALCO’s highest decision-making body.
It is during these sessions that we, as member states, shape ideas, forge consensus, and chart our collective efforts for the year ahead. This meeting is not just an ordinary gathering; it is a demonstration of our shared vision for AALCO, our collective aspirations, and our strong commitment to strengthening the bonds between Asia and Africa through dialogue, cooperation, and adherence to the rule of law, as well as a dedication to achieving AALCO’s objectives.
Distinguished delegates, as you all know, AALCO’s story began nearly seven decades ago, emerging from the historic Bandung Conference of 1955.
This conference led to the formation of the Asian Legal Consultative Committee in 1956, founded by seven nations: Burma (now Myanmar), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, and Syria.
AALCO has since grown to include 49 member states, representing nearly all major nations from our two continents. This growth reflects the trust and relevance AALCO commands as a platform for legal cooperation.
The evolution of AALCO is also seen in its name change and transition from the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee in 1958.
Initially established for a five-year term, this status was extended multiple times until 1981, when it was decided to place the organization on a permanent footing.
This decision was based on the substantial contributions the organization has made to international law from an Afro-Asian perspective.
The Bandung Spirit continues to inspire us, reminding us that our continents, once marginalized in the global legal order, have the power to shape international law to reflect our values, aspirations, and realities.
In this regard, the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) has made immense contributions.
From the law of the sea to human rights, trade and investment to environmental protection, AALCO has played a key role in ensuring that Asia and Africa are not merely participants but leaders in global legal discourse.
Distinguished delegates, AALCO serves as an advisory body to its Member States, providing a forum for deliberation on legal matters of common concern and acting as a bridge to communicate our collective positions to the United Nations, the International Law Commission, and other global institutions.
I commend the Secretary-General for maintaining cordial relationships with these international organizations and for actively participating in their various activities.
Through this engagement, AALCO has established a significant presence on the international stage, and its contributions cannot be overlooked.
As we gather today, we face a world filled with unprecedented challenges. Climate change threatens our ecosystems and livelihoods. Conflicts and insecurities test our stability.
Economic inequalities strain our societies. Moreover, rapid technological advancements, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, raise complex legal questions that demand our attention.
In this context, AALCO’s role is more critical than ever. It is uniquely positioned to ensure that Asia and Africa do not simply react to global legal developments but actively shape them to reflect our priorities, particularly sustainable development, sovereignty, and justice.
These priorities align with AALCO’s mandate, as outlined in its Statutes, which include:
- Serving as an advisory body on international law.
- Facilitating cooperation on legal matters.
- Deliberating on issues referred by Member States.
- Communicating our collective views to global institutions.
Over the years, AALCO has addressed a wide array of topics, ranging from the law of the sea and diplomatic relations to human rights, environmental law, and international trade.
Its contributions to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including concepts like the exclusive economic zone, and its role in shaping the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties demonstrate its significant impact on global legal frameworks.
Today, AALCO’s agenda remains highly relevant as it tackles issues such as climate change, the protection of migrant workers, the fight against transnational crime, and the legal implications of emerging technologies.
By fostering dialogue and coordinating positions, AALCO ensures that our continents’ perspectives are not only heard but integrated into the global legal order.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have made this session possible.
My heartfelt thanks go to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the AALCO Secretariat, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Media Centre, and our many government and non-government partners.
From logistical planning to security arrangements, and from protocol services to media coverage, your tireless efforts embody Uganda’s spirit of teamwork and national pride.
It is because of you that we can host our guests with warmth, safety, and dignity. As we embark on this session, let us seize the opportunity to strengthen AALCO’s impact, through the member states, on the continents of Africa and Asia.
I urge the AALCO secretariat to anchor its work on the following pillars for continuous growth from strength to strength: Strengthening Member Engagement: This will ensure respect for diversity and inclusivity.
