The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, has reaffirmed Botswana’s firm commitment to preserving the true value of its diamonds. She emphasized that responsibility and credibility must guide the nation’s management of natural resources.
Speaking at the High-Level Strategic Workshop themed “Enhancing the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Certification Mechanism through Lessons Learned from the Kimberley Process: Towards Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Development in the Great Lakes Region,” Kenewendo called for renewed integrity in global mineral governance.
She reminded delegates that Botswana, as one of the founding members of the Kimberley Process (KP), has long recognized the importance of a credible certification system. She said that such a system not only strengthens a country’s global reputation but also ensures that mineral wealth translates into real development for citizens.
Kenewendo said Botswana’s experience demonstrates that certification alone is not enough to guarantee sustainability or responsibility. She stressed that every policy and decision must reinforce accountability and uphold the value of natural resources.
“Certification isn’t enough,” she said. “We need to ensure that our actions that accompany certification, whether inclusivity or enforceability, also work towards responsibility. This means working very hard to maintain the value of our resources, taking the difficult decisions when called to do so, and ensuring that we are not forced into a race to the bottom. The race to the bottom only discounts the impact and the value that can be brought to our communities if we safeguard our natural resources better.”
Her remarks come at a time when global diamond markets face growing scrutiny over ethics, transparency, and environmental responsibility. By reinforcing Botswana’s commitment to responsible mining, Kenewendo aligned the country’s vision with broader international goals of sustainable and equitable development.
She said Botswana’s diamond governance model has become a benchmark for resource-rich nations that seek to balance economic gain with social responsibility. Through consistent policy, transparency, and strong partnerships, the country has maintained a reputation as one of the most trusted diamond producers in the world.
Kenewendo emphasized that Botswana will continue to advocate for policies that protect the integrity of the diamond industry while ensuring that communities directly benefit from the sector’s growth. She said sustainability depends on making long-term decisions that protect value and promote prosperity for future generations.
Her address concluded with a call for regional collaboration and knowledge sharing among member states of the Great Lakes Region. She noted that lessons from the Kimberley Process can help build a stronger, fairer, and more accountable mineral trade system across Africa.
Kenewendo’s message reinforced Botswana’s vision: diamonds must remain not only a symbol of national pride but also a lasting foundation for sustainable development, integrity, and shared prosperity.
