19 Aug 2018

SADC member states have been encouraged to take advantage of opportunities that exist through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to further advance socio-economic development of the citizenry. 

In his maiden speech as Botswana President at the 38^th SADC summit of Heads of State and Government in Windhoek, Namibia on August 17, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said opportunities also existed through PPP to further boost development financing in the SADC region. 

President Masisi thus called on the regional bloc to prioritise empowerment and capacity building in its quest to pursue regional integration as well as enhance productivity and competitiveness of its economies. 

“You will agree with me that youth unemployment remains a serious challenge in the region,” he said. On other issues, President Masisi noted that peaceful and democratic elections continued to be held in the region, a development he said was laudable.

 He said the holding of elections within the regional bloc spoke to member states commitment to achieve peace and political stability that are key to socio-economic development in the region. 

As such, he made a clarion call to fellow SADC member states to remain committed to upholding democratic principles and give support to member states undertaking efforts to achieve durable peace and political stability for their people. 

“Let me reiterate the fact that we must remain committed to the implementation of agreed SADC priorities and principles in order to improve the livelihoods of our people,” he appealed. 

President Masisi, who pledged his unwavering commitment to the SADC regional integration agenda, also used the platform to express gratitude to his predecessor, Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for his sterling and selfless contribution towards the agenda during his 10-year tenure as the President of Botswana, particularly, as the chairperson of SADC from August 2015 to August 2016.

 The summit was held under the theme; Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development. ENDS