Speeches

Vote of Thanks by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi on behalf of South Africa as Vice President of the Sixty-First Annual Session of AALCO, South Africa at the Sixty-Third Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), Kampala, Republic of Uganda, 08 September 2025

Thank you, Hon Norbert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the republic of Uganda
Your Excellency, The speaker of Parliament of the republic of Uganda, the Right Hon Anita Among, representing the People and Government of the Republic of Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa for its exceptional natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and lush greenery. We are truly honoured to be hosted in this beautiful nation, Madam Speaker.
Deputy Director General, Mr Songchai Chaipatiyut representing the President of the Sixty-Second Session of AALCO, the Kingdom of Thailand.
H.E. Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary-General of AALCO,
Atttorney General of the Republic of Uganda, Hon Kiwanuka
Host Country Minister Hon Mao, indeed
Honourable Ministers,
Attorneys-General,
Distinguished Delegates,
Observers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a privilege and honour, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Vice President of the Sixty-First Annual Session of AALCO, to deliver this Vote of Thanks at the Inaugural Session of the Sixty-Third Annual Session here in Kampala.

I extend my profound appreciation to the Right Hon Madam Speaker Anita Among for the inspiring and insightful Inaugural Address on behalf of HE President of the Republic of Uganda, which has provided valuable guidance and set the tone for the deliberations of this Session.

I also wish to express heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Uganda, our generous host, for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements that have ensured the success of this important gathering.

Excellencies,
I wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary-General of AALCO, whose tireless efforts and the dedication of his team have been central in advancing the work of our Organisation.

South Africa commends his commitment to strengthening AALCO’s role as the principal legal advisory body for Asia and Africa.

As Vice President of the Sixty-First Annual Session, South Africa recalls with pride the deliberations under Indonesia’s Presidency, that enriched the Organisation’s work programme with important new topics, including the Asset Recovery Expert Forum and the legal aspects of outer space activities.

These additions reflected the evolving priorities of our Member States and reaffirmed AALCO’s relevance in addressing both long-standing and emerging issues of international law.

South Africa itself has had the honour of hosting the Forty-Sixth Annual Session of AALCO in Cape Town in 2007, a milestone that highlighted South Africa’s vital role within the Organisation.

For South Africa, AALCO remains an indispensable platform to address contemporary challenges in international law that directly affect our regions, such as cyber law and the UN Cybercrime Convention, the challenges of climate change and sea-level rise, the reform of investor-State dispute settlement, as well as asset recovery and anti-corruption frameworks.

We remain firmly committed to supporting AALCO’s unique role in amplifying the collective voice of Asia and Africa and in shaping the progressive development, strengthening multilateralism, collaboration and codification of international law.

I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Kingdom of Thailand, President of the Sixty-Second Annual Session, for its dedicated leadership and valuable contributions to our Organisation.

On behalf of South Africa and the African region, let me once again thank the Government and people of Uganda for their warm welcome and excellent arrangements in hosting this Sixty-Third Annual Session.

Finally, let me convey my heartfelt gratitude to all Honourable Ministers, Attorneys-General, Heads of Delegations, Distinguished Delegates, and Observers for your active participation and valuable contributions.

It is your continued engagement and commitment that ensure AALCO remains the collective voice of Asia and Africa in the progressive development of international law.

Asante sana!

Thank you.