Summit focuses on integrated transport, energy planning
Abang Tapologo | Wednesday June 7, 2023 15:46
The Summit is the third event of this nature organised by Progressive Institute since its inception into business.
The Botswana Transport and Energy Summit 2023 is a platform which seeks to address all modes of transport and energy in economic development in order to bring together 300 key stakeholders from government, private sectors, international organisations and civil society.
The two days event was held under the theme, “Leveraging Modern Transport and Energy Capabilities to Transform Botswana Economy”. The launch comes after the county’s stumbling block from covid -19 pandemic when businesses had to shutdown and people lost their source of income. This was followed by the aftermath shock that came along with the Ukraine-Russia war which took a direct hit at the energy sector more especially hitting the fuel industry as prices drastically increased.
Giving a keynote address at the summit, acting Minister of Minerals and Energy Thulaganyo Segokgo revealed that the goal of the summit to engage in a dialogue that will focus on and emphasise the need for integrated transport and energy planning. Segokgo also indicated that the summit sought to address the cross-cutting nature of transport and energy in developing Botswana’s economy amidst the economic challenges of Covid-19 pandemic and the impacts of the Ukraine – Russia war.
For his part Chief Executive Officer of Progressive Institute, Mmoloki Mmolotsi said the world around us is transforming rapidly, changing the way people and goods travel within and across cities, regions, countries and continents. “Sustainable transport and Energy are fundamental to progress in realizing the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Establishing a sustainable urban transport system requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to policy-making and decision-making, with the aim of developing affordable, economically viable, people-oriented and environment-friendly transport systems,” he further lamented.
Mmolotsi added that central and critical to economic development is the need for sustainable supply of all forms of energy in a manner that proactively protects the climate, slows down and arrests climate change and protects the environment for the future. “The Energy dimension of the Transport and Energy Summit seeks to explore the potential and capacity of the diverse forms of Energy to sustain Botswana’s economic development,” he said. Mmolotsi concluded that the summit will explore, uncover and comprehend various themes and concepts aimed at refocusing our strategies to make Botswana better.