04 Apr 2024

 The world is more inter-connected than ever before giving diplomats extraordinary and unimaginable opportunities to advance national and common interests as well as enable current and future generations to thrive in a better and prosperous world, says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Officiating at a State Banquet for Botswana Envoys and Foreign Envoys accredited to Botswana on Wednesday in Gaborone, President Masisi said the world was witnessing unprecedented technological advancement, globalisation, and shifting economic paradigms.

Dr Masisi said diplomats were operating in an era of fast technological developments, cyber-attacks, fast information and fake news with the potential to cause war and leaving national governments and the world in disarray.

“As we continually forge new partnerships, we must recommit to diplomatic engagements based on mutual respect, mutual interest, mutual benefit, and global justice, for the prosperity of our nations and peoples,” he said.

However, he urged that as they navigated the rapidly evolving landscape, they must remain vigilant and resolute in the quest to advance and promote world peace through diplomacy.

“We must ensure that generations to come find the world a better place, with those of us in leadership having worked hard to secure it for them,” he said.

President Masisi said Botswana was actively involved in advancing regional and multilateral agendas that promoted peace and security.

“I am confident that our strong bonds of friendship anchored on strong values and common interests will continue to deepen as we tackle common socio-economic challenges and promote world peace,” he said.

He appealed to Botswana envoys to carry with them the spirit and cardinal value of ‘Botho’ in their mission of representing and safeguarding Botswana’s interests in their countries of coverage.

President Masisi said the banquet presented an opportunity for meaningful exchanges as it was an excellent setting for developing cordial and productive relationships.

Dr Masisi said diplomats had one of the most challenging jobs of representing their nations in a fast-changing world, a task and privilege not to be taken lightly.

“...as often one has to leave the comfort of their home, move half-way across the world, quickly adapt to a new place, learn to live among people of a different culture, norms and traditions, sometimes in the harshest of conditions, all for the advancement of national interest,” said Dr Masisi and added that theirs was an onerous, yet noble job.

He said diplomats were to safeguard their country’s interests abroad, fostering stable international relations for enhanced security and economic prosperity of humankind.

“I thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to the service of your respective nations,” he said.

Dr Masisi said the forum whose theme was: Advancing Botswana Towards a High-Income, Inclusive and Knowledge-Based Economy through Strategic Global Engagements, came at an appropriate time when diplomatic strategies were being developed to propel countries to greater heights.

He said the strategies would propel Botswana to a high-income, knowledge-based economy aspired to be achieved by 2036.

“To achieve this, we must enhance collaboration and engagement with strategic partners and friends of Botswana across the world,” he said. Ends