05 Feb 2020

Botswana is expected to report on the implementation of Agenda 2063 at the ongoing 36th ordinary session of the African Union executive council held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This would be the first time the continental body receives progress reports on Agenda 2063 execution by member states in its first 10 year implementation plan, according to Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Unity Dow.

Dr Dow, who is the outgoing Ministerial Committee of the Implementation of Agenda 2063  chairperson, said Botswana would report on different sectors among them health care and education.

She said the country had made strides in some areas and was yet to pick momentum on others. 

Minister Dow said Botswana had domesticated Agenda 2063 pronouncements in its key planning tools such as Vision 2036, NDP11 and other development programmes.

Furthermore, she said to track progress of Botswana’s implementation of Agenda 2063 goals, the country had set up a unit within Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

She explained that among other things the unit tracked the country’s performance, challenges and financing.

Meanwhile, Dr Dow said there was need for better data collection which would help in presenting Botswana’s position accurately.

Agenda 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse.

Among its goals are improvement of living standards, quality of life and wellbeing for all Africans as well as educated and well-nourished citizens.

Dr Dow said the 33rd AU heads of state and government summit, scheduled for February  9-10, would among others apprise African leaders on the state of the continent in terms of finance and development and progress of member states projects.

“We would look at how far we are with those. It is a chance for heads of state to pause, exchange views to guide each other and come up with programmes and projects for the future,” she stated. 

She further said the summit would come up with a theme which would adopt programmes and projects member states believed would take them forward.

This year’s summit is held under the theme; ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development.’ ENDS