From left to right: Dr. Philipp Harmer (President of the CIC), Wilfried Pabst (CIC Advisor for Africa), H.E Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi (President of the Republic of Botswana) and H.E. Dumezweni Mthimkhulu (Minister of Environment and Tourism for Botswana) / Source: Republic of Botswana Presidency
The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, held meetings with the CIC in Berlin and Paris last week for wide ranging discussions on wildlife management and a renewed partnership with the CIC through State Membership.
At a meeting with senior members of the CIC leadership team in Berlin on June 21st, discussions focused on avenues of collaboration as part of this new relationship between the CIC and Botswana, with President Masisi welcoming efforts to support his nation in hosting a CITES conference in the future.
“We’d like to invite all of you and motivate you to come not only to Botswana, but to help us as we put together our proposition to host a global meeting, even a CITES conference.”
As part of his interventions, Dr. Philipp Harmer praised the considerable efforts of President Masisi in advocating for sustainable use practices, referencing the work done to highlight the benefits brought about by well-managed, sustainable hunting practices.
H.E Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana (left) and Annalena Baerbock, German Minister for Foreign Affairs (right) / Source: German Ministry for Foreign Affairs
President Masisi was present in Germany as part of a working visit, where he – together with the Minister of Environment and Tourism for Botswana, H.E. Dumezweni Mthimkhulu – met with the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, and the Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Steffi Lemke, for joint talks on international cooperation between the two states.
From left to right: Catherine Chambaud (Head of the French CIC Delegation), H.E Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi (President of the Republic of Botswana) and Prince Alexandre Poniatowski (CIC Vice President) / Source: Republic of Botswana Presidency
Earlier in the week, President Masisi also met with the French Delegation in Paris on June 19th, at a meeting hosted at the Club de la Chasse et de la Nature.
The discussions took place during the President of Botswana’s visit to France, during which he met with President Emmanuel Macron and launched the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) Programme.
Key points of exchange centred around Botswana’s initiatives to promote wildlife conservation and community development through sustainable hunting, with a focus on supporting wildlife based tourism while preserving the ecological integrity of wild spaces.
The French Delegation welcomed Botswana’s approach to wildlife management, emphasising how this approach can guarantee long-term benefits for local communities and biodiversity health.
As part of an official statement on the discussions, it was stated that “Botswana views the CIC as a key partner in furthering aspirations of wildlife management.”
The CIC reiterates its commitment to supporting a conservation strategy for Botswana that embraces its core principles of environmental management, sustainable development and poverty eradication, as referenced in their statement announcing their intention to become a CIC State Member.
