16 Oct 2017

Botswana has made substantial strides through its partnership with the World Bank Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES partnership.
The Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama informed the ongoing Gaborone Declaration of Sustainability in Africa (GDSA) that under the WAVES programme, they benefited a lot as they prepared accounts for water, minerals and energy as well as pilot ecosystem accounts.
The water account, he said, had informed the water policy and implementation measures, adding that they had established a dedicated water accounts unit which produced regular water account updates.

He explained that GDSA member countries were in the forefront of natural capital accounting in Africa and had invested over USD118 million sourced from various avenues for the specific purpose of natural capital accounting.
Mr Khama said as they moved into the next five years of implementing the aspirations of GDSA, their commitment towards sustainable development had never been more crucial and opportune.
“I am looking forward to our discussion on progress and to agree on our strategy moving forward into the next five years,” he added.

The minister also stressed the need to address key issues related to governance, and to agree on a set of resolutions which would enhance and strengthen the GDSA secretariat’s ability to help in implementing the declaration.
He added that it would also tighten the bonds between member countries as they worked together for a common purpose and vision.

In supporting the continued success of the GDSA, he said government would review its conservation funding components to avail further funding for GDSA activities.
Minister Khama further stated that they intended to engage the private sector to participate in implementing the declaration and in funding initiatives as part of the sustainable development programme. He encouraged member states to discuss the long term financial sustainability of the secretariat and to find ways in which they could generate additional funds to attain the visionary objectives of the GDSA.

He said they planned to request from cabinet USD1 million in support of the GDSA over the next five years as a pledge and contribution by the Botswana government.
Meanwhile, the government of Madagascar has joined and signed the Gaborone Declaration.

Speaking after the signing of the declaration, the director general from the Ministry of Energy, Ecology and Forestry, Mr Ralison Olivier thanked member states for allowing them to join the declaration. He said it would strengthen relations between the affected countries.
For his part, the executive director of the United Nations Environment, Mr Erik Solheim praised member states for successfully implementing the declaration, adding that it was clear that natural resources could develop their nations.

He said Botswana had set a good example, stating that the leadership did a fantastic job to encourage the protection of natural resources. He cited the land scape, the beauty of the rivers, Okavango Delta, which he said was incredibly green, adding that the resources could not be compared with anything on the planet. Mr Solheim also stated that tourism was the biggest potential future of the African planet as it created more jobs for communities.
He wished the United Nations could continue assisting Botswana especially in the protection of the delta which was the central heritage. ENDS