132 Views
Ph:DR: and the president of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi
The WTO should strive to create a more inclusive trading system in which all members of society can benefit from the opportunities offered by trade, HE Mokgweetsi EK Masisi, President of Botswana, said at an event on 2 May at the WTO, as part of the series of presidential conferences. Ahead of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13), to be held in February 2024, President Masisi called on WTO Members to ensure that the concerns and interests of all developing countries, in particular those of Africa, are duly taken into account.
The event was opened by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the presence of ambassadors to the WTO, Swiss authorities, heads of intergovernmental organizations, representatives of non-governmental organizations, businesses and universities.
In his opening remarks, DG Okonjo-Iweala stressed that the aim of the WTO Presidential Lecture Series was “to bring distinguished voices from around the world to the WTO to share ideas, experiences and policy proposals and to provide decision-makers with new ideas that they could leverage in our efforts to use trade to work for people and the planet.
DG Okonjo-Iweala warmly welcomed President Masisi: “Since taking office in 2018, President Masisi has become an exceptional and inspiring leader, recognized far beyond the borders of his country. She also highlighted the success achieved by Botswana, a country with less than 0.2% of Africa’s population but 1.3% of the value of Africa’s merchandise exports.
DG Okonjo-Iweala noted that Botswana – like most African countries – still faces serious challenges in terms of export diversification, job creation, upskilling of new generations and achieving sustainable development. growth that is both socially equitable and environmentally sustainable.
“President Masisi’s government has already started to address these issues with its reset program, promoting digital technology and job creation for young people, particularly through value chain development in key sectors, such as mining, tourism, agriculture and education,” she said.
In his speech, President Masisi highlighted the landmark outcome of the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022, which “sparked a revitalized sense of trust” among members. “It is obvious that this renewed spirit of collaboration is essential to the smooth running of the organization, and I would like to stress the importance of implementing the decisions of MC12 in a manner acceptable to all members. »
“Botswana – and I believe Africa as a whole – recognizes the importance of these results in shaping the future of global trade. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that the implementation process is transparent and inclusive, taking into account the diverse needs and concerns of all members. Only then can the WTO build a sustainable framework for global trade that benefits all nations, especially developing countries,” he added.
President Masisi highlighted the many challenges that have hampered Africa’s economic development, noting in particular the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in uneven distribution of vaccines, leaving many developing countries struggling. to get enough doses for their populations. “To address these challenges, a coordinated global response is needed. The WTO can play a crucial role in helping developing countries prepare for future pandemics.
Noting that Botswana graduated from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 1994, President Masisi stressed that graduating from LDC status is a complex issue that requires a sensitive and nuanced approach to ensure that the concerns and needs of these countries are correctly taken into account.
“It is imperative that the WTO gives sufficient attention to this issue and takes into account the unique challenges that LDCs face in their efforts to integrate into the global economy. Important lessons can be learned from the challenges of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) such as Botswana that have transitioned to middle- and upper-income country status,” he said.
He also highlighted the significant progress towards regional integration in Africa resulting from the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at significantly boosting intra-African trade, particularly trade in value-added production. added value and trade in all sectors of the African economy. . He called on WTO members to “support African countries in their efforts to create a seamless trading system on the continent and to promote trade between Africa and the rest of the world”.
President Masisi noted that Botswana is a founding member of the WTO’s Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender Equality, and co-chaired the Group with El Salvador and Iceland. This shows that Botswana is working actively, both nationally and internationally, to advocate and promote trade policies and programs that are gender sensitive, he said.
In addition, Botswana has established the National Youth Council, which aims to empower young people and promote their participation in the development of the country. The government has also put in place various programs to support youth employment and entrepreneurship.
The event ended with a vote of thanks from Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, Chair of the General Council, who expressed the hope that “the conversation held today will stimulate the discussions at the WTO which are essential for shape the future of global trade and commercial relations”. between Africa and the rest of the world.
A video recording of the event is available here.
WTO Presidential Lecture Series
Launched in 2022, the lecture series provides a platform for distinguished speakers from all walks of life, ranging from presidents, prime ministers and high-level politicians to business leaders, scientists, authors and philanthropists, to discuss multilateral cooperation. and global governance issues, including trade-related issues and the Sustainable Development Goals.
