The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi has hailed the longstanding development cooperation between SADC and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in promoting and deepening regional integration and sustainable development.
H.E. Magosi hailed the SADC-German partnership which dates back to almost 40 years ago at a farewell dinner hosted for Her Excellency Margit Hellwig-Bötte, outgoing Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Botswana and Special Representative of SADC, and Heads of Development Cooperation Mr. Marcel Grella and Ms. Annelene Bremer on 20 June 2024.
H.E. Magosi highlighted that, despite the tumultuous start of her tenure in August 2020, characterised by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government of Germany, under the leadership of Ambassador Margit Hellwig-Bötte, swiftly signed two pivotal agreements aimed at supporting Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and bolstering infrastructure for trade, consumer protection, transboundary water management, climate resilience, and natural resource management which have had a profound impact on enhancing the safety and livelihoods of SADC citizens.
H.E. Magosi also highlighted that, as a sign of the enduring partnership between SADC and Germany towards SADC’s development agenda, in December 2023, SADC and the German Government concluded their Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation, resulting in an additional financial commitment of EUR 36.4 million to support regional programs.
H.E. Magosi assured the Outgoing Ambassador of SADC’s commitment for continued cooperation with the incoming German Ambassador and the team to nurture the long-standing bonds of friendship and collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Germany which remain the cornerstone of regional integration and development.
The SADC Executive Secretary urged the outgoing Ambassador Hellwig-Bötte and her team to take pride in the significant achievements recorded during her tenure and added that the impact of her contributions will resonate for years to come, inspiring and guiding future efforts towards a prosperous, united, and integrated region.
In her remarks, Her Excellency Margit Hellwig-Bötte underscored Germany's unwavering support for SADC's regional integration and development efforts. Ambassador Hellwig-Bötte emphasised the importance of regional integration, drawing parallels between the benefits that Germany has enjoyed as a member of the European Union and SADC’s aspirations of a united, prosperous and fully integrated region.
Under her guidance, the SADC-German Framework Agreement on Development Cooperation was signed in Gaborone on November 8, 2023. This landmark agreement underscored a renewed joint commitment to regional integration, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.
The farewell event was attended by, amongst others, Her Excellency Petra Pereyra, Ambassador of the European Union to Botswana and SADC, Heads of Development Cooperation at the Germany Embassy in Botswana Marcel Grella and Annelene Bremer, GiZ Country Director in Botswana and SADC, Mr. Christoph Schmidt, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba and Management from SADC Secretariat.
