Opening remarks by ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi: Botswana and Namibia Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation at Bi-National Commission Meeting

Opening remarks by ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi, permanent secretary, Botswana Ministry of International Relations,  Hilton Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia, 6-8 October 2025.

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Allow me, at the very onset, to express sincere appreciation, on behalf of the Botswana delegation, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us since our arrival in this beautiful and one of the cleanest cities in Africa.

We are deeply grateful to the government and people of the Republic of Namibia for hosting this second session of the Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission. We already feel at home being in the land of the brave.

We also wish to acknowledge, with gratitude, the excellent arrangements put in place for this meeting. The facilities made available to us have been most comfortable and have created an excellent atmosphere for fruitful deliberations.

Madam co-chair, I am not sure if we will be able to match the high standards you have set when we host you in Botswana at the next session. However, we will endeavour to do so.

May I also take this opportunity to warmly congratulate you, Madam co-chair, on your recent appointment as the executive director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia.

We wish you every success in this important and highly challenging role. We pledge our support and look forward to working closely with you in advancing the objectives of the Bi-National Commission and in realising the shared vision of our two countries.

Co-chair, this gathering comes against the backdrop of the working visit to Botswana by the president of the Republic of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in May 2025, shortly after her presidential inauguration; and the working visit to Namibia by the president of the Republic of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, in March 2025, to attend the presidential inauguration.

These regular exchanges, coming so soon after our respective presidents’ ascendancy to power, underscore the deep-rooted bonds of friendship, solidarity, and fruitful cooperation that have long characterised the excellent relations between Botswana and Namibia. Our shared history, values, and aspirations bind us as neighbours determined to build a future of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for our peoples.

Co-chair, the senior officials’ meeting provides us with the opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved since our mid-term review meeting of the Bi-National Commission, held in Gaborone in July 2024.

It also provides us an opportunity to confront challenges that hinder the smooth implementation of the decisions of the Bi-National Commission. It is critical, madam co-chair, that we as senior officials endeavour to resolve all problematic issues that hinder smooth implementation. Let us not delegate work to our principals.

We should also strive to conclude negotiations on the outstanding draft memoranda of understanding and agreements, thereby demonstrating our shared commitment to advancing our bilateral relations. I hope that several memoranda of understanding will be finalised and signed during this Bi-National Commission session.

Co-chair, as we open this session, it is important to frame our work within the broader regional and global context.

The 45th ordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community, held in Madagascar in August 2025 under the theme ‘Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient Southern African Development Community’, deliberated on a number of priorities for our region, including peace and security, industrialisation and regional value chains, climate resilience, food security, and energy transition.

Similarly, the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly, recently held in New York in September 2025 under the theme ‘Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights’, highlighted pressing issues such as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan; humanitarian crises arising from these conflicts; the enduring relevance of multilateralism; and the imperative for United Nations reforms to adapt to contemporary global dynamics.

These developments, madam co-chair, remind us that our deliberations here at the Bi-National Commission must be aligned with regional and global agendas to ensure that our bilateral cooperation contributes meaningfully to regional integration and the promotion of international peace and security.

It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to ensure that our deliberations are strategic, and that the outcomes we present to our ministers are implementable and have a direct positive impact on the daily lives of our citizens, the broader region, and the international community.

It is very important, madam co-chair, that our compatriots see the value and also realise the benefits of the Bi-National Commission. The commission should never be a talk show between our respective governments.

Co-chair, I have no doubt that, guided by the spirit of collegiality and mutual respect that defines our partnership, we will engage constructively and produce a report that will serve as a solid foundation for the deliberations of our ministers, and ultimately our two heads of state. 

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