PRESIDENT MASISI WELCOMES WOAH DELEGATION

His Excellency the President, Dr Mokweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi welcomed Dr. Monique Eloit and her delegation to Botswana during a courtesy visit at the Office of the President this morning.

Dr. Eloit who is the Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and her team are in Botswana for the 25th WOAH Regional Commission for Africa Conference.

The WOAH Regional Commission for Africa Conference is held every two years across member states and Botswana as a member in good standing emerged as the host for this year’s conference. The conference will be officially opened by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Gaborone today.

In welcoming Dr Eloit and her delegation, President Masisi assured them of Botswana’s support and offered the country as a haven for further collaboration and investment. President Masisi said Botswana boast of a well-developed human capital citing the Top Achiever’s initiative as one of the ways of identifying highly talented individuals.

He also informed the delegation that Botswana has a good record in fighting pandemics, citing the country’s response to Covid-19 and mentioned that the country’s animal disease tracing and mitigation is well recognised globally.

In response, Dr Eloit appreciated Botswana for hosting this year’s conference and commended the Government for its commitment towards animal disease control. She also commended the country for the production of good quality beef and called on Batswana to continue the good work of caring for their livestock.

Dr Eloit informed Dr Masisi that WOAH is working to develop a new action plan on how to deal with animal deficiencies. World Organisation for Animal Health is an intergovernmental organisation with a focus on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and thus build a safer, healthier and more sustainable world.

President Masisi was accompanied among others by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lemogang Kwape; Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao; Minister of Heatlh Dr Edwin Dikoloti; Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi; Permanent Secretary to the President Ms Emmah Peloetletse and Deputy Permanent Secretary to the President Ms Matshidiso Bokole.