📸 In pictures: Day One of 63rd AALCO Session in Kampala

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📍  Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala
🗓️ September 8-12
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All roads are leading to Speke Resort Munyonyo in Uganda's capital Kampala, where global legal minds are convening for the 63rd Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), which got under way Monday (September 8) and will run until Friday (September 12). The week-long session has drawn delegates from more than 47 AALCO member states, as well as representatives from international organizations and legal experts from Asia and Africa.

The venue is set.

Guests arriving at the venue for the conference have been treated to a warm reception featuring a smorgasbord of delightful entertainment: the dutiful sounds of drums and graceful dance strokes all part of the treat.

Colour. Beauty.

Enthusiasm. Passion. Talent.

Uganda's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, surely enjoyed the sights and sounds he arrived to.

Inside, the stage was well and truly set, as the organisers applied the very last of the finishing touches to a beautifully-laid platform for what will be a busy week of engagements.

And in twos and threes and in groups, delegates began making appearance at the venue to have a feel of what will be the centrestage of their discussions while in the Pearl of Africa.

During the last AALCO session in Thailand's capital Bangkok last September, Uganda was confirmed as the vice-chair of the 63rd session, locking in its hosting of this year's meeting, which is only hours away from kicking off.

Established nearly seven decades ago following the historic Bandung Conference of 1955, AALCO is an intergovernmental organization that serves as an advisory body to its member states on matters of international law.

It seeks to articulate the shared legal perspectives of Asia and Africa on the global stage.

The organisation promotes international legal co-operation and provides a platform for member states to discuss and influence developments in international law, such as the law of the sea, climate change, cyber security, international trade law, peace and security, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Its permanent headquarters is in New Delhi, India. It has six regional arbitration centres, which are located in Cairo (Egypt), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lagos (Nigeria), Tehran (Iran), Nairobi (Kenya) and Hong Kong (People's Republic of China).

Chief guest arrival

The Speaker of Uganda's Parliament, Anita Annet Among, is the chief guest — seen in the video below arriving 👇🏽



Among was received at the venue by top officials, including (from left in the picture below) Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, justice minister Norbert Mao, AALCO Secretary-General Dr Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol (from the Kingdom of Thailand), Songchai Chaipatiyut (representing AALCO current president Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang) and foreign affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo.

'Opportunities for Uganda'

"Uganda's selection as host reflects growing international recognition of our commitment to multilateral diplomacy, international law, and South-South co-operation," said AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka in the buildup to this conference.

So what is in it for Uganda?

Kiwanuka highlighted the key benefits of hosting this key AALCO event as including boosting the country's global legal profile, promoting legal and policy expertise as well as drawing economic and tourism opportunities.

"Uganda will take a leadership role in shaping international legal dialogue and influence the development of laws that affect global trade, security, and diplomacy from an African perspective," he said.

"The conference will provide opportunities for Ugandan legal professionals, scholars, policymakers, and institutions to engage with global legal trends, building local capacity and broadening perspectives in international law."

The attorney general said the arrival of international delegates will increase hotel occupancy, tourism activity, and local business engagement, which he said will "bring a much-needed boost to the hospitality and service sectors".

"Hosting the conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, a world-class venue, demonstrates Uganda's capacity to successfully organize high-level international events and highlights the country's potential as a hub for diplomatic engagement," added Kiwanuka.

He also said that as the current chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Uganda is strategically placed to champion issues relevant to developing countries. 

"AALCO offers a complementary platform for furthering regional integration, peace, investment, and legal harmonization."

In a clarion call, Kiwanuka expressed Uganda's commitment to ensuring the success of this important session.

He also urged all Ugandans — particularly those in the legal fraternity, academia, government institutions, and the private sector — to actively engage with and support this event.

"This is not only a legal conference but a national opportunity to strengthen our voice in the global arena and promote Uganda’s long-standing commitment to peace, international cooperation, and sustainable development."