Botswana: As Botswana serves as the Chair in New York and Coordinator in Geneva for 32 Landlocked Developing Countries, Minister Kgafela seized the opportunity to meet with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island States (LLDCs).
This was to touch base on issues as preparations for the United Nations Third Conference for LLDCs slated for June 2024 are underway. The conference hold significance for the LLDCs in speeding up the implementation of reforms in areas where we are most challenged.
The Minister used the opportunity to personally congratulate the USG and the OHRLLS team for the successful convening of the Africa Regional Review meeting which was held in Gaborone from 29-30 May 2023.
The Minister further expressed his view that the adopted Gaborone Outcome document, which identified the development challenges and priorities of the LLDCs in the Africa region including Botswana will help LLDCs forge partnerships with development partners.
The partnerships will especially be in the areas of capacity building, technical and financial assistance with a view to help these countries implement the recommendations of the review meeting as well as the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) adopted by the United Nations in 2014 to promote the sustainable development of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
The Minister Kgafela concluded by expressing Botswana’s appreciation for the partnership with the UN OHRLLS in addressing LLDC pertinent issues within the United Nations and on the global stage.
In her remarks, the Under Secretary General (UDG) expressed appreciation to the Government of Botswana for their commitment to the issues of the LLDCs over the years and now as the Global Chair and Coordinator of the Group of LLDCs.
On the same token, the USG thanked Botswana, in particular the Ministry of Trade and Industry, for the leadership in supporting the organization of the Africa Regional Review Meeting held in Gaborone from 29-30 May 2023.
The meeting adopted the Gaborone Outcome Document which will contribute to the development of the UN Programme of action for LLDCs for the year 2025-2035.
The USG further appraised the Minister Kgafela on progress in the preparations for the Third UN Conference on LLDCs scheduled to take place in Kigali Rwanda, in June 2024. The Conference will offer LLDCs an important opportunity to turn the tide on the peculiar challenges LLDCs continue to face.
The Conference envisages adopting a new programme of action, which will support the LLDCs in tackling their special challenges and put them strongly on course towards a sustainable and resilient development trajectory. The Conference will be held for the first time in Africa.
Botswana as the Global Chair of the Group of LLDC plays a critical role in the preparatory process leading to the Conference. Botswana will lead the negotiations of the new 10-year programme of action for LLDCs as the current one is coming to an end (2014-2024).
The USG highlighted that Trade and Trade Facilitation are currently one of the VPoA priorities and assessment shows that more remains to be done in this area. A strong LLDCs position on these issues will be vital.
She further emphasised that in view of the two upcoming important events – 13th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (MC13) to be held in February 2024 and the LLDC3 Conference scheduled for June 2024, it will be important for Botswana as Chair of the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries to coordinate the convening of the LLDCs Ministers of Trade Meeting.