The Second Session of the Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) convened in Windhoek on Monday.
Speaking at the opening, Botswana's Permanent Secretary for International Relations, Thuso Ramodimoosi, said the BNC should not be reduced to a talk show between the two nations but should yield tangible results for the people.
Ramodimoosi reminded delegates that the Second Session of the BNC should provide an opportunity for the two countries to take stock of the first session that was held in Botswana last year.
He further urged them to use the opportunity to address critical challenges that affect the smooth implementation of decisions that were taken at the first BNC session.
"We should also strive to conclude negotiations on agreements, thereby understanding agreements and demonstrating our shared commitment and advancing our bilateral relations. I hope that several MoUs will be finalised and signed during this BNC, as we have indicated."
He also urged participants to frame their work within the broader regional and international frameworks of peace and security, industrialisation, climate resilience, food security, and the energy transition.
"Our deliberations here at the BNC must be aligned with regional and global agendas to ensure that our bilateral cooperation contributes meaningfully to regional integration and the promotion of international peace and security. It is therefore upon us to ensure that deliberations are strategic and that the outcomes we will present to our ministers will implement them and have a direct impact on the daily life of our citizens, the broader region and the international community."
The Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade in Namibia, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, urged the diplomats to use the opportunity to review, exchange, and bring about substantial ideas, which will further reinforce their cooperation.
"I have no doubt that our combined efforts will enable us to execute our mandates, translating into quality and meaningful outcomes supported by documents with substantive recommendations for the consideration and adoption of our ministers."
The BNC, a high-level bilateral cooperation mechanism between the two countries, will focus on reviewing progress in diplomacy, economics, social affairs, defence, and security cooperation.
It also offers a platform for the two countries to explore new eras of collaboration.
The session will end on Friday.