15 Jul 2022

Botswana’s presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the UN’s six principal organs, has been successful despite leading at a time the world is facing numerous challenges, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said. 

Giving a keynote address at a reception to mark the end of the year mandate, Dr Masisi said Botswana played it’s role in assisting the world to focus on rebuilding.  

The President lauded Botswana’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Collen Kelapile for his service and focus as ECOSOC president, despite ‘the stormy weather occasioned by the pandemic.’

He said: “The industry you exhibited and professional execution of the mandate entrusted to you during our term of office faithfully followed the priorities which mirror our own RESET Agenda; ensuring universal access to vaccines; addressing systemic inequalities; youth engagement; resuming development after conflict; science, technology and innovation; as well as climate change and biodiversity loss.” 

The President further commended UN Secretary General António Guterres, UN General Assembly and Peacebuilding Commission, ECOSOC Bureau and its five regional economic commissions for their cooperative work and support to Botswana’s presidency. 

“Botswana is more than happy that our presidency of ECOSOC allowed such cooperative spirit to flourish.

This is the legacy we are happy to bequeath the incoming president -Portugal - who I am informed has already demonstrated the readiness to be associated with, embrace and continue our legacy,” President Masisi said. 

He further urged countries and UN agencies to work hard to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to ensure better living standards and a more secure environment across the globe by the year 2030. 

President Masisi expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic and rising global food and fuel prices resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict posed a challenge that could potentially slow down realisation of the UN Agenda 2030 goals. 

 Earlier in the day, Ambassador Kelapile had chaired the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), a gathering that serves as a central platform for the review of the SDGs. 

The forum brings together the UN leadership, heads of state and government as well as cabinet ministers and senior government officials from over 100 UN member states. 

President Masisi, Portugal President Mr Marcelo de Sousa, Mr Guterres, UN General Assembly president Mr Abdulla Shahid, as well as Ambassador Kelapile addressed the forum with the latter chairing plenary proceedings on the review of four SDGs. BOPA