Ministry of International Relations, Botswana

06/08/2026

WATCH PART 2 | DUMA FM INTERVIEW – BOTSWANA'S PARTICIPATION AT THE 49TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN UNION

The Minister explains Botswana's role as Chairperson of the African Union Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System, outlining the Committee's mandate to coordinate and build consensus among African Union Member States in endorsing African candidates for strategic positions in international organisations. He further highlights how the Committee operates and reflects on some of the challenges involved in securing Africa's collective support for candidates seeking influential global positions.

06/08/2026

AMBASSADOR THUSO RAMODIMOOSI LEADS THE BOTSWANA DELEGATION AT THE SADC STANDING COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Relations, Ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi, is leading the Botswana delegation at the ongoing meeting of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials, taking place in Durban, South Africa. The Senior Officials Meeting is held in preparation for the 46th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for the 17th August 2026. The SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials is the technical advisory committee of the Council of Ministers that provides advice on the Agenda of the Council and Summit.

06/08/2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Catch up on Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale’s conversation with Duma FM’s Solly Rakgomo, on the recently concluded 49th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union and Botswana’s Foreign Policy

06/08/2026

BOTSWANA AND UNITED NATIONS HOLD A CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK 2027-2031

The Ministry of International Relations in collaboration with the United Nations Country Team, facilitated consultations on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027 – 2031. The Cooperation Framework, is the primary tool for planning and executing development activities with the Government.

During the opening remarks, Mr. Kabelo Ebineng the National Planning Commission, Commissioner General underscored that continuous partnership between Botswana and the UN shows their shared dedication to the Cooperation Framework. He noted that the framework aligns with key national priorities, including National Development Plan, Vision 2036 and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme.

In her address, Ms. Wenyan Yang reiterated the UN's commitment to Botswana and expressed confidence that the Cooperation Framework will yield inclusive and diverse outcomes to help the country reach its NDP 12 goals. She also commended the strong bilateral relationship, noting that past success relies directly on sustained cooperation and mutual dedication.

The meeting convened various stakeholders including; Government Officials, the UN Country Team, Civil Society representatives and NGOs to discuss the strategic priorities of the Cooperation Framework. The framework targets two main areas by 2031: driving inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic diversification, and strengthening institutional capacity and accountability through improved public sector performance and policy implementation. The finalised Framework is expected to be signed by the end of the year by the Government of Botswana and United Nations.

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

ICRC REGIONAL HEAD OF DELEGATION PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENTIALS TO HONOURABLE DR. PHENYO BUTALE

The newly appointed International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Head of Delegation fo, Mr. Jean-Nicolas Paquet-Rouleau presented his Letters of Credence to Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations on 4th August 2026.

During the meeting, Minister Butale congratulated Mr. Paquet-Rouleau and wished him success in his new role. He reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the Government of Botswana and the ICRC. Additionally, the Minister highlighted the strong, collaborative bond between the government and the Botswana Red Cross Society, emphasizing that Botswana remains globally committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In response, Mr. Paquet-Rouleau commended Botswana for becoming the 110th nation to join the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). He noted that this global framework perfectly mirrors Botswana's own foreign policy, which centers on human rights, peacebuilding, humanitarian values, and sustainable development.
In his regional capacity, Mr. Paquet-Rouleau directs the ICRC's humanitarian diplomacy efforts across nine Southern African nations: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

03/08/2026

MINISTER DR. BUTALE PRESENTS CONDOLENCE BOOKS FROM BOTSWANA MISSIONS ABROAD IN HONOUR OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MOGAE

The Minister of International Relations, Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale, today presented the signed Condolence Books from Botswana Missions abroad in honour of the Late Third President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Dr. Festus Gontebanye Mogae.

The Condolence Books, signed by members of the diplomatic community, Batswana living abroad, and friends of Botswana, contained messages of sympathy and tribute that honoured the Late President Mogae’s distinguished legacy, statesmanship, and invaluable contribution to Botswana’s development and international standing.

The Condolence Books were received by the Senior Private Secretary, Mr. Rhee Hetanang, on behalf of the Mogae family.

03/08/2026

BOTSWANA AND UAE CONSUMMATE RELATIONS

GABORONE: The United Arab Emirates(UAE) Ambasasor to Botswana, His Excellency Mr Mahash Saeed Alhameli has this morning revealed plans to elevate relations with Botswana by opening a diplomatic mission in Gaborone

Mr Mahash Saeed Alhameli made the pronouncement during a courtesy call on the Minister of International Relations, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale.

He envisioned that the new development will go a long way to open Botswana up for endless possibilities, particularly in trade and investment with the UAE.

Honourable Dr Butale, for his part, described the move as a big step in the right direction for both nations.

Likewise, Dr. Butale shared that plans were afoot for Botswana to open a diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, UAE capital, with a view to notch-up relations between the two nations.

The Minister further explained that government prioritised diplomatic relations as a key to unlocking endless opportunities to transform Botswana's economy.

To this end, Honourable Dr. Butale called for any outstanding bilateral agreements between the two nations to be expeditiously concluded.

02/08/2026

The Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Japan engagement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation-Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO).