Botswana
.E U UC OF
30TSWANA
PERMANENT MISSION Of THE REPUBLIC Of
BOTSWANA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
154 EAST 46TH STREET* NEW YORK, N .Y. 10017
TEL. (212) 889-2277
STATEMENT
BY
HON. MR. ONKOKAME KITSO MOKAILA, MP .
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND TOURISM
AT THE
14TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
IN NEW YORK
Check against delivery
THURSDAY, 11TH MAY 2006
Mr. Chairman
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
1 . The delegation of Botswana is pleased to join the rest of the International
community to review progress in the fields of energy for sustainable development, industrial
development, air pollution and the atmosphere and climate change . This gathering not
only provides a forum for the exchange of Information and experiences but also serves to
constantly remind us of our Inherent oneness as human beings and our Interconnectedness
as citizens of planet earth .
2. Issues of sustainable development are central to our ability to secure our common
future on this planet whilst ensuring improvement of the human condition in a more just
and equitable world order. We have a window of opportunity to protect our ecosystem
and build better standards of life for ourselves and future generations . We must not
squander this opportunity .
3. Botswana Is firmly aligned to the full implementation of global initiatives outlined in
Agenda 21 and in particular Chapter 9 on the protection of the atmosphere . We have
ratified the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer . We have also
embarked on activities aimed at phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances Including
the dissemination of Information to raise the level of public awareness .
4. As part of our concerted efforts to Implement the United Nations Convention on
Climate Change, a Multi-Sectoral National Committee on Climate Change has been
established, with a mandate to, inter alia, advise Government on climate related issues .
5. We are currently preparing the Second National Communication which will address
cross-cutting issues such as poverty eradication, health and sustainable development, gender
equality, education and loss of livelihood . These are critical issues which are at the core of
our efforts to improve the living standards of our people .
6 . Mr. Chairman, one of the challenges with which we must contend is that whilst
industrial development is important for employment creation and income generation it is
accompanied by a growing pollution problem . We are therefore committed to the search
for a balanced approach to prevent, control and monitor pollution . In this regard, we have
intensified our pollution monitoring network to include a wider coverage in the urban
centres and other major settlements .
7. The monitoring stations provide data on air quality with respect to the different
parameters in the atmosphere such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone . We
are therefore committed to playing a constructive and dependable role in regional initiatives
aimed at addressing transboundary air pollution . The AIR Pollution Information Network
for Africa (APINA) is a vital mechanism for the exchange of scientific information and
knowledge by scientists, policy makers, industries and other stakeholders . In the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) region we have successfully co-ordinated the
phasing out of leaded petrol .
8 . Mr. Chairman, with respect to energy matters the economy of Botswana relies on a
limited basket of energy resources . The rest Is imported from neighbouring countries . The
majority of our people, about 90%, in the rural areas, continue to depend on fuel wood
and other solid fuels . The challenge for the country therefore is to urgently provide
alternative energy sources.
9. In its efforts to address this challenge, the Government of Botswana has made a
commitment to provide rural communities with conventional energy sources that are
cleaner and efficient. This led to the establishment of the Rural Electrification Programme
whose objective is to electrify at least 15 rural villages per annum . Government has
established a revolving fund to provide households access to subsidized loans for grid
connections . Some of the major strategies undertaken to use cleaner, renewable and
affordable sources of energy include phasing out leaded petrol, beneficiation of locally
mined coal and, a Government subsidized photovoltaic programme . We have also
embarked on a public awareness exercise to sensitize consumers on the need to promote
energy efficiency and conservation.
10. Mr. Chairman, let me conclude by reiterating that issues of sustainable development
are an integral part of the challenges of this millennium . We cannot achieve the Millennium
Development Goals if we fail to implement Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation (JPOI) . We have noted gaps and challenges in the implementation of
Agenda 21 and our success in addressing them will depend on partnership, support and cooperation
. We therefore look forward to consistent and assured support in the areas of
research needs to enhance knowledge on pollution exposure, dose-response relationship and
indoor air pollution; capacity building and technology transfer ; public awareness on the
effects of air pollution; and research and development in cleaner technologies .
11 . These challenges require commitments from all of us because it is our united and
collective efforts which will enable us to succeed at the country, regional and international
levels . Botswana is prepared to assume its responsibilities and welcomes the support of
development partners in the search for effective and sustainable solutions, for an equitable,
sustainable common future.
I thank you .
30TSWANA
PERMANENT MISSION Of THE REPUBLIC Of
BOTSWANA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
154 EAST 46TH STREET* NEW YORK, N .Y. 10017
TEL. (212) 889-2277
STATEMENT
BY
HON. MR. ONKOKAME KITSO MOKAILA, MP .
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND TOURISM
AT THE
14TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
IN NEW YORK
Check against delivery
THURSDAY, 11TH MAY 2006
Mr. Chairman
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
1 . The delegation of Botswana is pleased to join the rest of the International
community to review progress in the fields of energy for sustainable development, industrial
development, air pollution and the atmosphere and climate change . This gathering not
only provides a forum for the exchange of Information and experiences but also serves to
constantly remind us of our Inherent oneness as human beings and our Interconnectedness
as citizens of planet earth .
2. Issues of sustainable development are central to our ability to secure our common
future on this planet whilst ensuring improvement of the human condition in a more just
and equitable world order. We have a window of opportunity to protect our ecosystem
and build better standards of life for ourselves and future generations . We must not
squander this opportunity .
3. Botswana Is firmly aligned to the full implementation of global initiatives outlined in
Agenda 21 and in particular Chapter 9 on the protection of the atmosphere . We have
ratified the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer . We have also
embarked on activities aimed at phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances Including
the dissemination of Information to raise the level of public awareness .
4. As part of our concerted efforts to Implement the United Nations Convention on
Climate Change, a Multi-Sectoral National Committee on Climate Change has been
established, with a mandate to, inter alia, advise Government on climate related issues .
5. We are currently preparing the Second National Communication which will address
cross-cutting issues such as poverty eradication, health and sustainable development, gender
equality, education and loss of livelihood . These are critical issues which are at the core of
our efforts to improve the living standards of our people .
6 . Mr. Chairman, one of the challenges with which we must contend is that whilst
industrial development is important for employment creation and income generation it is
accompanied by a growing pollution problem . We are therefore committed to the search
for a balanced approach to prevent, control and monitor pollution . In this regard, we have
intensified our pollution monitoring network to include a wider coverage in the urban
centres and other major settlements .
7. The monitoring stations provide data on air quality with respect to the different
parameters in the atmosphere such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone . We
are therefore committed to playing a constructive and dependable role in regional initiatives
aimed at addressing transboundary air pollution . The AIR Pollution Information Network
for Africa (APINA) is a vital mechanism for the exchange of scientific information and
knowledge by scientists, policy makers, industries and other stakeholders . In the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) region we have successfully co-ordinated the
phasing out of leaded petrol .
8 . Mr. Chairman, with respect to energy matters the economy of Botswana relies on a
limited basket of energy resources . The rest Is imported from neighbouring countries . The
majority of our people, about 90%, in the rural areas, continue to depend on fuel wood
and other solid fuels . The challenge for the country therefore is to urgently provide
alternative energy sources.
9. In its efforts to address this challenge, the Government of Botswana has made a
commitment to provide rural communities with conventional energy sources that are
cleaner and efficient. This led to the establishment of the Rural Electrification Programme
whose objective is to electrify at least 15 rural villages per annum . Government has
established a revolving fund to provide households access to subsidized loans for grid
connections . Some of the major strategies undertaken to use cleaner, renewable and
affordable sources of energy include phasing out leaded petrol, beneficiation of locally
mined coal and, a Government subsidized photovoltaic programme . We have also
embarked on a public awareness exercise to sensitize consumers on the need to promote
energy efficiency and conservation.
10. Mr. Chairman, let me conclude by reiterating that issues of sustainable development
are an integral part of the challenges of this millennium . We cannot achieve the Millennium
Development Goals if we fail to implement Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation (JPOI) . We have noted gaps and challenges in the implementation of
Agenda 21 and our success in addressing them will depend on partnership, support and cooperation
. We therefore look forward to consistent and assured support in the areas of
research needs to enhance knowledge on pollution exposure, dose-response relationship and
indoor air pollution; capacity building and technology transfer ; public awareness on the
effects of air pollution; and research and development in cleaner technologies .
11 . These challenges require commitments from all of us because it is our united and
collective efforts which will enable us to succeed at the country, regional and international
levels . Botswana is prepared to assume its responsibilities and welcomes the support of
development partners in the search for effective and sustainable solutions, for an equitable,
sustainable common future.
I thank you .
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