Botswana keeps pace with ISO systems

Officially opening the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) plenary meeting on international environment standards in Gaborone, Makgato-Malesu said that  hosting the event  could not have come at a better time  as the country is experiencing low rainfall which has led to  rationing of water. "Being  a semi-arid country, how we manage our environment is not only critical  to the environmental  well-being but to sustainable development as well," she said. She warned that desertification is a serious challenge in Botswana due to low rainfall especially in the western parts of the country.

She expressed hope that the meeting will come up with tangible solutions to the desertification problem. Botswana's rainfall is largely erratic and highly localised, which calls for innovative environmental solutions. Currently the water level in Gaborone, Letsibogo and Mmamashia dams are drastically decreasing.