18 Sep 2022

Following its laudable performance as the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) president, Botswana has been re-elected as a member of the organisation for another three-year term with effect from January next year until December 2025.

  This was revealed  Friday by Botswana’s US ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, Mr Collen  Kelapile in an interview ahead of this week’s  UN general assembly in New  York. He said the  extension provided Botswana with an additional opportunity  to continue the progress made.

 According to Ambassador Kelapile,  Botswana added immense value to one of UN’s principal organs as well as enhanced its visibility and elevated it to a level admired by many.

  He said Botswana’s one-year tenure as ECOSOC president,  which commenced July last year, had positioned the country as one of the key contributors in   multilateral diplomacy.

 “As a contributor to the international agenda, it is paramount for Botswana as a member of the UN to continue enhancing the country’s capacity and commitment to the United Nations Charter. 

The ECOSOC presidency availed such perfect platform,” Ambassador Kelapile said.

   He said the position had elevated Botswana’s foreign policy.

Relating how he approached the ECOSOC  presidency, Ambassador Kelapile said it was sculptured  around Botswana’s priorities as stipulated  in Vision 2036 as well as economic diversification and youth unemployment issues.

  “It is worth noting that a key element in my approach was to advance our national interests is the broader vision of making Botswana a respected and influential player in international diplomacy.  I can therefore  indicate that  such milestones have  since been achieved as Botswana’s  position is  well respected  in international summits,” he said. 

  He revealed that in January Botswana was also appointed chair of the 32 UN landlocked developing countries. 

Ambassador Kelapile said such positions marketed the country and resonated well with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s agenda for Botswana to play a critical role in the multilateral space. 

 “Since taking over the chairmanship to lead the landlocked  developing countries, the President  has tasked us to strive to host not only the  main conference but also the  preparatory meetings of  which there are opportunities  to attract the  world to convene  in Botswana,” he said. BOPA