Press releases

2007 WORLD EARTH DAY COMMEMORATION-KASANE

April 18,2007

Honorable Minister of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, Mr. Kitso Mokaila
The Honorable Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning and also Member of Parliament Chobe District, Mr. Duncan Mlazie
The District Commissioner, Mr. Koketso
The Council Secretary
Dikgosi here present
Heads of Departments
Ladies and Gentlemen
Dumelang bo Rra le bo mma

This is my second visit to Kasane in the past month. My husband Mike and I came here with friends who were visiting from the United States not too long ago to see Chobe National Park. This is a great place to bring visitors since there is no place like Chobe National Park in the United States.  You are extremely lucky to live in an area that people will fly thousands of miles to spend only two or three days here. 

So I can think of few better places to be than to be in Kasane to celebrate Earth Day.  Kasane is the gateway to Chobe National Park, which symbolizes the many themes of Earth Day such as protecting the environment, sustainable development, and environmental awareness.

My friends visit to Botswana is a small example of how connected we are to the world regardless of where we live.  Like trade and security, the environment is now a global challenge that affects all countries, whether they are rich or poor, developed or developing, located in the northern or southern hemisphere.  Decisions Botswana makes today about their environment matters not only to its citizens but also to its neighbors, the African continent, and the world in general.  Since environmental issues are a global challenge, all nations and all people must play a part and be part of the answer to these challenges.

In the United States, we use Earth Day as an opportunity to reaffirm our nation’s strong environmental awareness and commitment to protect the earth’s resources and use them in a sustainable manner. Understanding our place in the global environment, the United States is an active partner in more than 200 international environmental treaty negotiations, including agreements to protect the ozone layer, preserve wetlands, safeguard endangered species, conserve natural resources, promote sustainable fisheries, and reduce hazardous chemicals.  During the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, the United States was at the forefront of international efforts to champion sustainable development principles.

In Botswana, through its Regional Environment and Health Office, the U.S. has a long history of providing strong support to regional and transboundary initiatives, especially those that support the broader US strategic goal of reengagement with SADC and the promotion of regional cooperation, good governance and regional stability.

As far back as the late 1980s, the US Department of Fish and Wildlife assisted Botswana and neighboring countries develop strategies to conserve elephants.  A quick ride through Chobe National Park will provide you with the answer to the question if these strategies were successful.  Some might even say the elephant conservation strategies developed in the late 1980s were too successful!!

More recently, Botswana became the first African country to enter into a Tropical Forest Conservation Act agreement with the United States.  Under this agreement, the United States forgave almost US$8 million dollars or almost 50 million pula of debt for the promise from the government of Botswana that it will use the 50 million pula for conservation efforts for Botswana’s tropical forests.

Another example of the U.S., Botswana, and other countries in Southern Africa working together to meet the global challenges to the environment is the establishment of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area this past December.  By working together and coordinating their efforts and policies, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will be better able to promote economic development while at the same time protect the environment in this border region.

Today’s global environment challenge that affects us all is climate change and its possible environmental, economic and social consequences.  This is a growing concern to all of us and I wish to focus on this today.

Some believe that because my Government is not party to the Kyoto Protocol, we are not serious about climate change. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps it would be useful to give you some examples of what the US Government is doing to address this important issue.

Some say the U.S. lacks commitment to confronting climate change but this is not the case. 

President Bush has set a target of cutting our greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent in the next five years and reducing our gasoline usage by 20% in the next 10 years. His budgets have devoted nearly $29 billion to climate-related science, technology, international assistance, and incentive programs.

We are also working with G-8 Leaders on a wide range of initiatives, including the 2005 launch of the G-8 Gleneagles Plan of Action for Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Sustainable Development, which encompasses more than 50 practical, results-oriented actions to address the interlinked issues of energy security and access, air pollution control, and climate change.

Others complain of government interference holding back private sector initiatives to confront climate change but this is not the case.  The U.S. is cooperating with Private Industry to obtain specific commitments from 14 industrial sectors and the Business Roundtable, led by more than 100 major corporations, to address Greenhouse gas emissions in partnership with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

As you can see, from these activities, my Government is serious about addressing the threat of Climate Change.
As a Native American proverb states: We do not inherit the land, we borrow it from our children.  The U.S. will continue to work with other countries such as Botswana and urges Botswana to work with its neighbors to ensure that we return the land to our children and grandchildren in better shape than how we received it from our parents and grandparents.

PULA

As the Honorable Minister mentioned, the US Government has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Government of Botswana as far back as the dawn of it’s independence in 1966.   My Government engages with Botswana through several programs, including the Peace Corp Volunteers Program. The President recently paid tribute to 43 Volunteers who had completed their tour of duty.

My Government has responded to Botswana’s ail battle with HIV/AIDS epidemic.  For instance, the PEPFAR program contributes to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.  Botswana signed a bilateral agreement with the US Government on the establishment of a network of International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) to combat international drug trafficking, criminality, and terrorism through strengthened international cooperation.