{UAH} MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPONDS
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Kampala: 21/11/2017
RESPONSE TO MEDIA STORIES ON HON. SAM KUTESA – MINISTER OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS - UGANDA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda would like
to respond to stories in the media associating Uganda's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa, to an ongoing case involving an
official of China Energy Fund Committee, Dr. Patrick Ho and a former
Foreign Minister of Senegal, recently arrested in New York on
allegations of bribery.
In the course of his work as President of the General Assembly (PGA)
of the United Nations during its 69th Session in 2014 - 2015, Hon. Sam
Kutesa interacted and engaged with numerous organizations including,
civil society, media and private sector. This engagement, a role
undertaken by all the Presidents of the General Assembly, is necessary
for promoting the core objectives of the UN in the areas of
development, peace and security as well as human rights.
One of the key priorities that Hon. Sam Kutesa focused on as PGA was
the post-2015 development agenda. It was during his tenure that the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) was negotiated and concluded. The PGA
convened a number of High-Level Thematic Debates, including one on
mobilizing means of implementation for the post-2015 Development
Agenda.
Working closely with the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs
(UN DESA), he engaged with a number of Non-Governmental Organizations
which have consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC).
These organizations regularly participated in events and activities
organized by the PGA in areas of sustainable development, particularly
on gender and women empowerment, youth, energy and climate change. One
such organization, which was recommended by UN DESA, was the China
Energy Fund Committee (CEFC) which has consultative status with
ECOSOC.
It should be noted that CEFC's collaboration with the UN, predated
Hon. Sam Kutesa's tenure as PGA and has continued with successive
PGAs. The organization, together with UN DESA had an initiative in
which CEFC sponsored a UN Energy Grant. The grant provided US $ 1
million to fund energy-related sustainable development programs,
awarded to individuals, institutions, or partnerships for
achievements, leadership, and innovation in advancing energy for
sustainable development.
The PGA participated as a member of a High-level Steering Committee
responsible for the selection of candidates for the UN Energy Grant.
The Advisory Council was chaired by the Under-Secretary-General for UN
DESA.
Together with then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Hon. Sam Kutesa
presented the inaugural award of "Powering the Future We Want" Grant
to We Care Solar, on September 14, 2015, in recognition of its solar
power kit for health clinics in a lightweight, durable, and affordable
package. The award ceremony was also attended by Dr. Patrick Ho
representing CEFC.
The Ministry is providing this background to provide a context to the
interaction and engagement which Hon. Sam Kutesa had with CEFC and its
representative Dr. Patrick Ho which was in fulfillment of his official
functions as President of the UN General Assembly.
It is therefore erroneous to insinuate or infer that Hon. Sam Kutesa,
from references made to him and CEFC in the said media stories, is
linked to the bribery allegations.
Amb. Patrick S. Mugoya
PERMANENT SECRETARY
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
RESPONSE TO MEDIA STORIES ON HON. SAM KUTESA – MINISTER OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS - UGANDA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda would like
to respond to stories in the media associating Uganda's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa, to an ongoing case involving an
official of China Energy Fund Committee, Dr. Patrick Ho and a former
Foreign Minister of Senegal, recently arrested in New York on
allegations of bribery.
In the course of his work as President of the General Assembly (PGA)
of the United Nations during its 69th Session in 2014 - 2015, Hon. Sam
Kutesa interacted and engaged with numerous organizations including,
civil society, media and private sector. This engagement, a role
undertaken by all the Presidents of the General Assembly, is necessary
for promoting the core objectives of the UN in the areas of
development, peace and security as well as human rights.
One of the key priorities that Hon. Sam Kutesa focused on as PGA was
the post-2015 development agenda. It was during his tenure that the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) was negotiated and concluded. The PGA
convened a number of High-Level Thematic Debates, including one on
mobilizing means of implementation for the post-2015 Development
Agenda.
Working closely with the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs
(UN DESA), he engaged with a number of Non-Governmental Organizations
which have consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC).
These organizations regularly participated in events and activities
organized by the PGA in areas of sustainable development, particularly
on gender and women empowerment, youth, energy and climate change. One
such organization, which was recommended by UN DESA, was the China
Energy Fund Committee (CEFC) which has consultative status with
ECOSOC.
It should be noted that CEFC's collaboration with the UN, predated
Hon. Sam Kutesa's tenure as PGA and has continued with successive
PGAs. The organization, together with UN DESA had an initiative in
which CEFC sponsored a UN Energy Grant. The grant provided US $ 1
million to fund energy-related sustainable development programs,
awarded to individuals, institutions, or partnerships for
achievements, leadership, and innovation in advancing energy for
sustainable development.
The PGA participated as a member of a High-level Steering Committee
responsible for the selection of candidates for the UN Energy Grant.
The Advisory Council was chaired by the Under-Secretary-General for UN
DESA.
Together with then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Hon. Sam Kutesa
presented the inaugural award of "Powering the Future We Want" Grant
to We Care Solar, on September 14, 2015, in recognition of its solar
power kit for health clinics in a lightweight, durable, and affordable
package. The award ceremony was also attended by Dr. Patrick Ho
representing CEFC.
The Ministry is providing this background to provide a context to the
interaction and engagement which Hon. Sam Kutesa had with CEFC and its
representative Dr. Patrick Ho which was in fulfillment of his official
functions as President of the UN General Assembly.
It is therefore erroneous to insinuate or infer that Hon. Sam Kutesa,
from references made to him and CEFC in the said media stories, is
linked to the bribery allegations.
Amb. Patrick S. Mugoya
PERMANENT SECRETARY
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
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