10 Oct 2016

The United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has hailed Botswana’s peace and democracy, noting that in his 10 year tenure as the secretary general, during which he handled conflict situations in various parts of Africa, he has not a dossier on Botswana in his desk.

He was speaking at a BOT50 celebration reception hosted by the Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations in New York on September 30,  2016.

In addition to the secretary general, his spouse Ms Ban Soon-taek, the reception was attended by over 300 guests comprising ambassadors, United Nations secretariat staff, representatives of the business sector and civil society as well as Batswana in and around New York, friends of Botswana including people who worked and lived in Botswana.

“It is a great honour for me and my wife to be here, on this delightful occasion of Botswana’s Jubilee Celebration. Fifty years is, undoubtedly, a significant milestone in the history of a country.

It is most astounding that, from its humble beginnings at Independence in 1966, when it was considered one of the poorest countries in the World, Botswana, against all odds, subsequently emerged to become one of Africa’s economic and political success stories, Mr Ban said.

He said Botswana  has, over the years, consistently recorded impressive rates of economic growth and is also among the most politically stable democracies on the African continent.

“On this auspicious occasion, we, as members of the international community, wish the government and people of the Republic of Botswana, continued peace and prosperity over the next 50 and more years to come.” ENDS