23 Jun 2022

 Botswana intends to intensify its campaign to host the Kimberly Process (KP) secretariat because as the world’s major producer of diamonds by volume and value as well as being known for its exemplary use of the commodity for development, it is well primed for that. 

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this in an interview before leaving for Kigali, Rwanda to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) after which he will proceed to Austria and Belgium to canvas support for Botswana’s KP secretariat bid.

The President said he would consult some leaders on the sidelines of CHOGM and others as well as diamond industry stakeholders on the European leg of his tour to impress on Botswana’s virtues as the ideal host for the secretariat. 

“In Rwanda I will have the occasion to meet various leaders since I want to promote our bid to host the KP secretariat. Thereafter I will proceed to Austria to meet with their federal chancellor, Mr Karl Nehammer. Since they are also interested in hosting the secretariat though they are not a diamond mining country like us, I want to engage in dialogue with them, listen to their plans, air our own and reason with them,” President Masisi said.

so take him to Belgium for a meeting with the Antwerp World Diamond Council to familiarise himself with the KP certification process, currently hosted by the country on a temporary basis.

“Since the diamond industry key players are currently largely based in Antwerp, this is an occasion for us to discuss the importance of Botswana hosting the KP secretariat. We will learn about the technology being used. Our diplomats will join us from our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York,” Dr Masisi said.

He stressed that Botswana’s clean record in diamond management and its historic reliance on the commodity should make it the prime centre for KP, which united states, civil society actors and the diamond industry in promoting transparent trade and stemming the flow of conflict diamonds.

On CHOGM-related matters, Dr Masisi said Botswana would engage in multilateral dialogue with other member states on the most suitable candidate for the Commonwealth secretary general position. 

The incumbent, Baroness Patricia Scotland of the United Kingdom faces competition from Jamaica’s foreign affairs and trade minister Kamina Johnson Smith and Tuvalu’s former governor general, Sir Iakoba Itateli.

Meanwhile, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs media release says CHOGM, which commences today ending Saturday, is held under the theme, Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating and Transforming.

It says the meeting will afford Commonwealth leaders an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to shared values, agree on policies and actions aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods and promoting sustainable development. 

To this end, the meeting’s agenda will include discussions on technology and innovation, governance, human rights, post-COVID-19 recovery efforts and youth, says the release.  

CHOGM was preceded by yesterday’s ministerial meeting on small states while a ministers of foreign affairs meeting is scheduled for early today.  

Both were to be attended by foreign affairs minister Dr Lemogang Kwape. 

Also planned are high-level engagements including one on violence against women and girls. 

The President’s delegation includes First Lady Neo Masisi, Dr Kwape, Minister of Minerals and Energy Mr Moagi Lefoko, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Beauty Manake and senior government officials.  Dr Masisi and his delegation return home on June 29. ENDS