Kamalesh Sharma to visit southern Africa

 

Sharma's visits to Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland will include meetings with officials, civil society leaders and professional networks, a release from the Commonwealth Secretariat today said.

The visit's objective is to ensure that the concerns and priorities of a wide range of national leaders and representatives are reflected in the Commonwealth’s current programme of reform and renewal, the release added.

Speaking in London, Sharma said: "Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland face distinct challenges of scale and vulnerability associated with their small population sizes and limited opportunities for economic diversification.

"Membership of the Commonwealth enables these countries' concerns and voices to be heard on the world stage".

He added: "It offers forums in which they can exchange insights and experiences with other Commonwealth small states that help reduce vulnerability and increase both economic and social resilience".