14 Nov 2022

Through bilateral and multilateral engagements, Botswana has secured important strategic roles and partnerships among them the hosting of the Kimberly Process (KP) secretariat.

 This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone on November 14.

 He said hosting the secretariat gave Botswana an opportunity to become the global focal point of influence for promoting the integrity of natural diamonds for development.

The international community’s support for Botswana’s bid was a clear indication of its confidence in the country’s ability to host global organisations, the President said.

Dr Masisi said Botswana also secured a partnership with Forbes Magazine which resulted in the hosting of the Under 30 Africa Summit in Gaborone and Kasane early this year, the first to be held on African soil.

He revealed that Forbes Africa Magazine would produce a special feature on Botswana which would contribute to government’s  efforts of attracting foreign direct investment as well as promote the country as a tourism destination.

“I am delighted to inform Batswana and our strategic partners that Botswana will once again host the summit in April 2023,” he said.

President Masisi said another strategic partnership secured at an international level was with the US’ Carlifornia-based health and life sciences technology outfit NantWorks LLC.

The partnership was for the setting up of a vaccine manufacturing plant at the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub through the local company, NantBotswana, he said.

Dr Masisi said Dubai EXPO2020, where Botswana showcased its culture, arts and promoted an array of business opportunities, also put the country on the map.

 Through the Okavango Diamond Company, Botswana was able to make online diamond sales of over P1 billion, he said.

The President said another feat for Botswana was being at the helm of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

 He said the ECOSOC presidency offered Botswana an opportunity to promote the country’s national interests in the UN system.

“Through the presidency, Botswana successfully coordinated a wide range of social, economic and political issues and used the opportunity to also advocate for the global COVID-19 vaccine equity,” said Dr Masisi.

Other strategic roles the President mentioned include Botswana’s co-hosting of an international summit on Constitutionalism and Democratic Consolidation in Africa with the US-based National Democratic Institute and its involvement in the SADC Mission in Mozambique as well as UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as observers. ends