DEVELOPMENT OF BOTSWANA'S AGENDA 2063 BIENNIAL REPORT AND SDGs STATUS REPORT (2015–2025)

The National Planning Commission (NPC) hosted a meeting on the development of Botswana’s Agenda 2063 Biennial Report and the SDGs Status Report for the period 2015–2025. The Botswana Agenda 2063 Biennial Report will contribute to Africa’s Continental Report, which will be presented at the African Union Executive Summit in 2026. Meanwhile, the SDGs Status Report will form the backbone of Botswana’s Voluntary National Development-Based National Review (DBNR), which the country will present at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. In her opening remarks, the Assistant Commissioner General of the NPC’s National Planning and Development Division, Ms. Kontse Mokgwathi, explained that the decision to combine the development of the Agenda 2063 Biennial Report and the SDGs Status Report (2015–2025) was made to ensure integration of these international commitments. She emphasized the need to harmonize timelines and resource use, especially in light of Botswana’s current economic situation. Ms. Mokgwathi said these national assignments carry significant weight in shaping how Botswana reports its progress, challenges, and aspirations both regionally and internationally. “Through these reports, the world will not only see the strides we have made but also our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Batswana and contributing to continental and global progress.” Additionally she stated that the reports will provide evidence-based insights into the implementation of both the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. They will highlight achieved milestones, expose existing gaps and bottlenecks, and outline corrective measures to accelerate progress. Ms. Mokgwathi also shared that the NPC is currently developing National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12). She underscored the importance of aligning national development priorities with international frameworks, noting that inputs from the Agenda 2063 and SDG reports will inform the NDP 12 planning process. She further emphasized that the reports should reflect not only the perspectives of government, but also those of civil society, academia, development partners, youth, and the private sector, all of whom form an essential part of the national development ecosystem.