PRESIDENT David Granger accepted Letters of Credence from the new Non-Resident High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Alfreda Chilekwa Kansembe Mwamba, and Tebogo Teko Lily Motshome, the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Guyana.

President Granger, in receiving the Letters of Credence, during two separate ceremonies at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, said the renewed diplomatic ties between the two countries will pave way for mutual exchanges in ‘green’ development in areas such as agriculture, mining and tourism. Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, was among officials present during the ceremonies.

Upon receiving the credentials of the Botswana High Commissioner, President Granger said the relations between Guyana and Botswana were strengthened by the State visit to Guyana of President Sir Seretse Khama in 1975 and by the work of skilled Guyanese in Botswana’s public sector.

He said Guyana looks forward to the revitalization of bilateral cooperation between the states during High Commissioner Motshome’s tenure, particularly in the areas of agriculture, air transportation, green development, mining, public health, trade and tourism.

“Guyana and Botswana have worked closely with each other within the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group, the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. Guyana reaffirms its commitment to deepening our engagements and cooperation with Botswana within these organizations,” President Granger said.

He informed the Botswana High Commissioner that Guyana is moving towards the establishment of a “green state” which will place emphasis on the protection of the environment, the preservation of biodiversity and the promotion of renewable energy and practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

“These objectives are aligned with those articulated in Botswana’s Vision 2036 which aims at the sustainable utilization of natural resources, water security, energy security, sustainable land use and management, sustainable human settlements, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. Our shared commitment to sustainable development can form the basis of mutually-beneficial exchanges of experiences,” President Granger said.

High Commissioner Motshome assured the President of her commitment to work closely with the Guyanese Government to promote excellent bilateral relationship between Guyana and Botswana.

“We need to choose a path, as nations, that serves the interest of all and upholds the broadly-held international values that preserve and nurture our prosperity and security and that contribute to our collective goal as a better, safer, more just, more prosperous members of state in the world,” High Commissioner Motshome said.

Guyana and Botswana have enjoyed excellent relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties, forty-four years ago, on October 28, 1975. The two countries’ relationship is founded on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

In a separate ceremony, upon receiving the Letters of Credence from the Non-resident High Commissioner of Zambia to Guyana, President Granger said Guyana is prepared to learn from Zambia in the area of green development.

“Guyana is keen to learn from its experience in promoting ‘green’ jobs. Your appointment will create the opportunity for both our nations to exchange good practices and experiences in ‘green’ development,” President Granger told Non-Resident High Commissioner Mwamba.

The President said he looks forward to improved relations between Guyana and Zambia during the tenure of the Non-Resident High Commissioner of Zambia to Guyana.

Similarly, High Commissioner Mwamba said Guyana and Zambia have a long history of friendship and she believed the time was ripe to concretise those bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of mining, agriculture and tourism.

The newly-accredited non-resident High Commissioner said Zambia stands ready to cooperate with Guyana for mutual benefits while calling for the exchange of skills between the two countries. The relationship was cemented by the close personal friendship between Guyana’s first Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, and Zambia’s first President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, both passionate advocates of the African Liberation. President Kaunda’s visit to Guyana in 1975 helped to deepen relations between the two states.

Guyana and Zambia have enjoyed excellent relations since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on February 11, 1971.