MOKGWEETSI E. K. MASISI, President of Botswana, said the world is facing a plethora of persisting global challenges, including the war in Ukraine and its associated geopolitical tensions and impact on the global economy, challenges relating to climate change and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The inadequate progress on the Global Goals is a distressing reality.  Regarding Global Goal 5 (Gender Equality), which uses representation in positions of power and leadership as one of its indicators, he said the United Nations has not done badly except for the Secretary-General position.  “Would you not agree with me that the time is now to have a female Secretary-General?” he asked.  The business-as-usual approach to addressing the challenges hindering the Global Goals must be transcended.  It is imperative for the United Nations system, international financiers, the private sector and civil society to forge a collective front and refocus efforts to place the Global Goals back on track.  “To this end, the recent SDG Summit and its Political Declaration could not have come at a better time,” he added.

Regarding global discussions on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, he said Botswana is building capacity to manufacture vaccines for humans and animals.  He noted that on 28 August 2023, the country’s National HIV Reference Laboratory was designated a WHO Collaborating Centre of Excellence.  Turning to the critical challenge of climate change, he said international cooperation and partnerships are crucial and must include accelerating the uptake of renewable energy sources and investing in clean technologies.  This requires sufficient funding to support mitigation and adaptation, particularly for developing countries.  He endorsed the appeal for developed countries to fulfil their pledge of providing $100 billion annually in climate finance to developing countries.  This also includes fully replenishing the Green Climate Fund.

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, he strongly urged for an immediate end to hostilities and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.  He hoped the recent engagement between African, Russian and Ukraine leaders, as well as similar initiatives elsewhere, would encourage the conflicting parties to return to the negotiation table.  Botswana is also deeply concerned with the persistent conflicts and destabilization of legitimate Governments across the African continent.  “It is of utmost importance that the Secretary-General collaborates closely with the African Union and subregional organizations to prioritize and actively engage to foster peace and stability in Africa,” he said.  “I firmly believe that the attainment of lasting peace in Africa can pave way for a more prosperous and harmonious continent.”

Turning to landlocked developing countries, he said next year marks the conclusion of the Vienna Programme of Action for the Landlocked Developing Countries, to be followed by the Third Landlocked Developing Countries Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2024.  The ongoing global crises have severely damaged the economies of these countries and eroded the progress achieved in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action, leading to persistently high poverty levels of about 23 per cent in 2022.  These countries’ participation in global trade is marginalized by exorbitant trade costs.  They need infrastructure development and maintenance to address geographical and structural obstacles and reach their potential.  He stressed that the upcoming programme is a valuable opportunity to rally greater global support and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships.  There must be efforts to bolster these countries’ infrastructure, particularly transit transportation, information communications technologies and the energy sectors.  “I want to re-emphasize that merely acknowledging global problems without taking substantive measures will not solve them,” he said.  “We require greater action!  The urgent action to revitalize the UN system, ensuring that it is fit for purpose, is now.”