12 Sep 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi left for the United States yesterday on a working visit which includes attending  the 77th UN General Assembly session scheduled for September 19-26.

In a pre-departure interview, President Masisi explained that the UN meeting would be preceded by a livestock industry benchmarking visit to Texas.

He said the visit’s objective included fostering agriculture research partnerships and collaboration in the livestock industry. 

“The intention is for Botswana to ultimately become more competitive in high-end export markets hence I am going to interact with the agricultural sector in the semen production and embryo as well as farm leasing value chains,” President Masisi said.

While in Texas, the President said he would also visit a children’s hospital and the Baylor College of Medicine.

“One of the major areas of focus is around issues dealing with health and improvement of the country’s health sector and specifically to interact with the Baylor College of Medicine since they are assisting Botswana to develop capacity for the opening of Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital,” he said.

Dr Masisi said interaction with Texas Children’s Hospital would focus mainly on vaccine development capacitation.

Meanwhile, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs media release says President Masisi will address the UN general assembly during a general debate themed, A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.

The release says he will also participate in high-level and side meetings to address among others, health, education and youth development issues.

“Still in New York, President Masisi will attend the 38th annual awards gala dinner, where he will receive the Africa-America Institute 2022 national achievement award on behalf of the country. In addition, he will host a Botswana Diamond event whose objective is to underscore the important role that natural diamonds continue to play in national development and economic growth,” says the release.

The President’s entourage includes First Lady Neo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Minerals and Energy Mr Lefoko Moagi, Minister of Education and Skills Development Dr Douglas Letsholathebe and Minister of Health Dr Edwin Dikoloti.

The delegation is expected back on September 24. ends