Botswana

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 26th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, to be held from 30-31 January, 2016. The Assembly will be preceded by the Ministerial Retreat of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African Union, scheduled to be held from 24-26 January, as well as the 28th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council from 27-28 January 2016.

The annual Session of the Assembly will be held under the theme “African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on Women Rights.” The theme is intended to draw attention to the global and continental agenda for the promotion of human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women. In view of this, a high-level meeting of Ministers responsible for gender equality and empowerment was held from 17-22 January, to which the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Honourable Edwin Batshu attended.

The Summit will also deliberate on other strategic issues including Agenda 2063, which Africa has set as the vehicle to drive her regional integration and socio-economic progress; the AU Budget for 2016; Sports development; AIDS, TB and Malaria; Climate Change; and Peace and Security.