Botswana To Continue Hosting GDSA

Boniface Keakabetse | Monday October 16, 2017 16:26

The recommendation was made on Thursday following the conclusion of Maun meeting. The Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa originated from the 2012 Summit for Sustainability in Africa, held in Gaborone. At this summit 10 founding GDSA countries reaffirmed their commitment to implement all conventions and declarations that promote sustainable development. By adopting GDSA, countries committed to a model that takes into account the role of natural resources in their development.

From October 11-13, GDSA ministers’ conference was hosted at Cresta in Maun, which amongst others, charted the new strategy that will run the GDSA for the next five years. It also discussed issues of GDSA governance structure, membership guidelines and debated financial sustainability issues surrounding the secretariat. TThe conference agreed that the secretariat should continue operating under its current form until its legal status is determined. It was further recommended that it was important for the GDSA to seek financial sustainability with signatory countries encouraged to provide voluntary contributions in cash or kind. Officially opening the meeting on Wednesday, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama said he will request Cabinet to approve more than P10 million to support GDSA over the next five years. Minister Khama noted: “government of Botswana will review its conservation funding components towards availing further funding for GDSA activities”. Further, the minister explained that: “as a country, we further undertake to engage our private sector to participate in implementing the declaration and in funding the initiatives under the GDSA”.

Meanwhile another landmark recommendation made in Maun was for the establishment of the forum of ministers, which will meet every two years and hosted by a signatory country on a voluntary basis. In the previous dispensation GDSA was headed by head of states with President Ian Khama credited with initiating the GDSA. The meeting further endorsed joining guidelines detailing the processes by which countries can join the GDSA as signatories or associated members. During the Maun meeting the GDSA welcomed Madagascar in to the fold and it was announced during the proceedings that other countries are eager to join.

Meanwhile President Khama probably gave his last address of the GDSA on Wednesday before retiring next year. President Khama, a strong advocate of the green economy, challenged GDSA parties to work hard to address issues of climate change and work hard to ensure realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Following President Khama speech, member countries agreed that GDSA remains valid in light of the SGDs and Paris climate agreement.  When officiating, President Khama heaped praise on the GDSA for scoring a number of successes in its mandate.