19 Apr 2017

The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale says there is need for Botswana to harness relationships with strategic partners around the world.

Speaking on Behalf of the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation at the Head of Mission Conference welcome reception in Gaborone on Tuesday, Minister Molale commended the envoys for representing Botswana abroad.

Mr Molale said the world was faced with challenges of terrorism, poverty, and climate change among others which he said needed concerted effort from all nations.

The minister said the rising  acts of terrorism were  worrying and “ these inhumane acts challenged Botswana to play her role as a nation to oppose such.”

He said that Botswana had adopted the Global Sustainable Development Goals 2036 and Botswana’s own Vision 2036 which challenged every stakeholder to play their role in ensuring that the world became a better place.

“We remain confident that Botswana supports this global pledge which aims to improve lives. We are further committed to regional integration as we continue to leverage our global membership.”

Mr Molale said that the conference aimed to map how Botswana could position herself to be globally competitive which he said challenged envoys to represent Botswana well towards this goal.

The dean of Botswana missions abroad Mr Roy Blackbeard thanked all those who had left the profession in the past year indicating that the service they provided to the country was exceptional.

He said that the conference would deliberate how their concerted efforts could be harmonised to place Botswana in a global competitive position.

Mr Blackbeard said Botswana needed to continue building strong ties not just in the region but world at large. BOPA