By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has departed Eswatini for Botswana to represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the Nation at the inauguration ceremony of Botswana’s new President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko.
This high-profile event is an important moment for Botswana, with Boko taking office as leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition of opposition parties that has gained significant traction in the country’s political landscape.
He is taking over from outgoing President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi who is also the leader of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which has been in power since 1966.
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President Duma Boko, a human rights lawyer by profession and a social democrat. He leads the Botswana National Front, one of the key parties in the UDC coalition.
He is known for his commitment to social justice and reforms, Boko has dedicated much of his career to advocating for human rights and legal reform in Botswana.
He was raised in a modest family in the village of Mahalapye. President Boko pursued his education at the University of Botswana and later at Harvard Law School, where he developed a strong foundation in law and democratic principles.
His leadership has been instrumental in uniting various political entities under the UDC, a coalition that first took shape in 2012 and now comprises the Botswana National Front, the Alliance for Progressives, and the Botswana People’s Party.
Following the inauguration in Botswana, the Prime Minister will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, scheduled to take place from November 11 to November 22, 2024.
This year’s conference theme, “Investing in a Livable Planet for All,” was said to highlight the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing climate change.
With the world experiencing unprecedented temperature increases and extreme weather events, COP29 is set to bring together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to advance concrete actions on climate adaptation and mitigation.
A central topic for COP29 will be climate finance, as achieving ambitious emission reduction goals and protecting vulnerable populations requires substantial financial resources.
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According to the United Nations, trillions of dollars will be necessary to effectively tackle greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate impacts.
Additionally, the conference will provide an opportunity for countries to present their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, due by early 2025.
If designed with sufficient ambition, these updated plans aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and align with the Sustainable Development Goals, as emphasized in a recent UN statement.
