Africa-Press – Botswana. Poverty constitutes violation of human rights, especially when it results from systemic failures where governments are unable to meet their obligations to uphold economic and social rights.
It is against this background that President Advocate Duma Boko said Botswana had taken a firm position to fulfil its mandate to protect economic and social rights of its citizens.
Speaking on the occasion to receive letter of credence from United Nations Resident Coordinator designate to Botswana Ms Wenyan Yang yesterday, he said government had a responsibility to address poverty and unemployment resulting from unstable economy.
“We are currently dealing with these challenges and trust that the long standing collaboration between Botswana and the United Nations will augument and deepen our efforts in relations to these pressing challenges that we face. We therefore, look forward to your contribution in entrenching the role of the UN in Botswana and the reforms currently underway,” President Boko said.
In an effort to further bolster the nation’s social rights, the President said government was in the process of formulating the National Transformative Programme (NTP), which would guide real transformation in all facets of the society.
“The NTP will involve everyone, from the participation of the private sector to State Owned Enterprises and the general citizenry,” he said. Such inclusivity, President Boko said, would not only be in the formation of the programme, but also in tracking many projects and other deliverables through constant monitoring and evaluation.
“We believe the whole process will strengthen democracy and ensure that people actively partake in the country’s affairs,” he said. The President thus applauded MsYang’s appointment to her new role describing her as a veteran in the space of development and the fight against poverty.
For her part Ms Yang expressed optimism towards building on the bridges of partnership already established by her predecessor, to further strengthen collaborations in pursuit of Botswana’s national development priorities.
“I am looking forward to more engagements with government officials to promote social justice and address issues of national interest,” she said. Ms Yang takes over from Mr Zia Choudhury, who concluded his tenure on June 23, 2025. She has more than 30 years of experience in economic and social development.
Prior to her appointment in Botswana, she served as Chief of Branch in the Division for Inclusive Social Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs where she focused on the social dimension of the sustainable development agenda, addressing poverty, inequality, employment, and social inclusion issues to advance the well-being of all people.
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