23 Jun 2015

The Acting President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has commended Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) for the contribution it has made to Botswana government through its support towards the development of the decentralisation policy.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the just-ended Commonwealth Local Government Conference, Mr Masisi said the forum also supported in capacity building for the four Local Authorities where Botswana is currently piloting the application of the Local Economic Development (LED) concept.

He also commended the CLGF family for their relentless pursuit of the agenda to enhance local governance, democracy, community participation for enhanced service delivery and sustainable development in member states.

Nonetheless, Mr Masisi noted that countries should appreciate that the post Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) agenda required fundamental and transformative shifts in the way governments perceived, plan and implement national development.

“This new perspective integrates the mutually re-enforcing initiatives that eradicate poverty, localise inclusive and responsive economic growth, infuse social, economic and ecological sustainability into national development processes,” said Mr Masisi.

He also said countries should appreciate the need to develop and implement policy, institutional and operational instruments to support the development of governance systems that are capable of responding to the needs of citizens at both national and local levels.

Mr Masisi added that this proposition constituted the essence of transformative shifts that are embedded in the SDGs agenda and are intended to ensure that no one is left behind and that sustainable development is at core of national and local development initiatives.

He therefore implored countries to commit themselves to ensuring that the principles, goals and targets articulated in the SDGs agenda and other related global impacts, find expression in national visions and their related national and local development planning frameworks.

The Vice President also assured Commonwealth Local Government Conference delegates that the government of Botswana, working with BALA, its members, and in close partnership with CLGF and partners such as EU and UNDP, would duly seek to take forward and implement the policy recommendations of the conference.

He said Botswana would also, in line with established practice, and in cooperation with the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), seek formal endorsement of the Gaborone conference recommendation at the CHOGM in November. Ends