09/10/2026
SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS STRONGER GOVERNANCE FOR BETTER LIVES AT 153RD IPU ASSEMBLY
Arusha, Tanzania — The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, MP, is attending the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania, held under the theme, “Enhancing Good Governance and Empowering Communities through Inclusivity, Trust and Opportunities for All.”
The Assembly provides a platform for parliamentarians and other stakeholders to share experiences and strategies for promoting inclusive governance, building public trust and creating equal opportunities that can improve the quality of life of citizens.
The Assembly was preceded by meetings of the SADC sub-geopolitical and African geopolitical groups, where members strategised on how to address regional and continental issues through consensus.
According to the Speaker, the theme invites reflection not only on those who govern, but also on those who are governed. It calls for governance to be viewed as a shared responsibility in which the State, its institutions and citizens work together to turn democratic ideals into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The Assembly brings together leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives and community activists to discuss transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance. Through dialogue and knowledge exchange, participants are exploring ways to empower marginalised groups and strengthen democratic institutions.
This year’s Assembly also featured the election of a new IPU President following the completion of the three-year term of Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson. Three candidates contested the position: Hon. Milton Dick of Australia, Hon. Rojo Edwards of Chile and Hon. Prof. Sahiba Gafarova of Azerbaijan.
The Speaker’s participation underscores Botswana’s commitment to advancing good governance and ensuring that citizens have a meaningful voice in shaping policies and decisions that affect their lives.
During the General Debate, the Speaker shared insights on promoting inclusivity and trust in governance, while highlighting the importance of creating opportunities that bridge social and economic gaps.
He reiterated that the theme calls for a shift from viewing governance purely through institutions to recognising it as a shared responsibility between the State, its institutions and the people.
“Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all is about turning democratic ideals into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens,” said the Speaker.
He noted that the Assembly provides an important platform to advocate for governance that is representative and responsive to the needs of communities.
“Empowering communities through trust and inclusivity is not only a moral imperative, but also key to sustainable development,” he said.
The Speaker called on leaders, policymakers and citizens to foster environments where inclusivity is the norm, trust is cultivated and opportunities are accessible to all.
“Together, let us build a society where no one is left behind and where every voice contributes to the journey of progress.”
As Botswana celebrates 60 years of independence, the Speaker noted that the Assembly’s theme speaks directly to an important national question: How can the country translate the stability of its democratic institutions into greater inclusion, trust and opportunity for its communities?
He said Botswana has much to be proud of over the past six decades, while emphasising the need to continue strengthening democratic participation and ensuring that development benefits all citizens.
Language as a Tool for Inclusion
The Speaker highlighted the role of language and multilingualism in advancing inclusion and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals’ commitment to leaving no one behind.
He noted that language is an important means through which citizens access power and participate in governance.
“Trust collapses when people feel governance is being done to them, not with them.”
In this regard, he said Botswana has moved from bilingualism towards multilingualism as part of its efforts to turn majority rule into genuine inclusion. National television, radio and other state media platforms broadcast news and programmes in different languages spoken across the country.
Women, Girls and Persons with Disabilities
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Helen Pushy Manyeneng, participated in the Forum for Women Parliamentarians, where discussions focused on the inclusion of women, girls and persons with disabilities in decision-making.
Women parliamentarians called on governments to account for budgets allocated to the empowerment of women, girls and persons with disabilities.
The discussions emphasised the need to create spaces where persons with disabilities can participate fully in social, economic and political life; remove barriers to the empowerment of women, girls and persons with disabilities; and promote gender equality through education, healthcare and leadership opportunities.
The Forum further emphasised that women must have meaningful voices in the development and implementation of legislation, policies and programmes aimed at improving people’s lives.
The Chairperson of the Forum for Women Parliamentarians noted that, despite their immense potential and contribution, these groups are often marginalised, excluded from decision-making and denied basic opportunities. Such exclusion, she said, is not only a violation of their rights, but also a loss to communities and nations.
Inclusive Governance and Peace
Hon. Kenny Kapinga participated in the Committee on International Peace and Security on the margins of the Assembly.
The Committee discussed the importance of trust in democratic institutions and how exclusion can contribute to conflict. It noted that when people feel excluded from decisions, distrust institutions and see no opportunities for progress, grievances can become a source of mobilisation and may be exploited by external actors.
The Committee therefore underscored that inclusive domestic governance is the first line of international peace, and urged governments to engage citizens on issues affecting their lives.
Strengthening Parliaments for Economic Transformation
On the margins of the Assembly, the Speaker was a panellist at the Speakers’ Roundtable of the inaugural Strategic Legislative Governance Forum (SLGF), held at the Chambers of the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha.
The Forum was convened alongside the 153rd IPU Assembly under the theme “Legislative Statecraft and Economic Transformation in Africa.” It was convened by the Africa Governance Centre in partnership with the East African Legislative Assembly and the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL).
The Roundtable, titled “Advancing Transformation: Immediate Priorities for African-Centred Legislative Statecraft,” examined legislative priorities that can accelerate Africa’s economic transformation and the institutional capacity parliaments need to deliver real development outcomes.
Drawing on Botswana’s experience during the diamond downturn, the Speaker argued that legislative statecraft begins with strong institutional capacity.
He noted that a Parliament that cannot independently scrutinise, cost and test the national budget may approve economic transformation programmes without being able to meaningfully shape them.
He outlined Botswana Parliament’s reform agenda, including committee scrutiny of Bills and statutory instruments before they reach the House, establishment of a Parliamentary Services Commission, an autonomous Parliamentary Budget Office and a Public Participation Law.
He also called on African parliaments to establish independent Parliamentary Budget Offices in law, so that continental commitments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are matched by credible scrutiny at national level.
Strengthening Parliamentary Administration
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Gabriel Goitsemodimo Gosiame Malebang, also participated in the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) meetings, where Clerks and Secretaries General exchange experiences and share ideas on issues affecting the effective administration of Parliaments. The Clerk presented a paper on the topic; Training for Members of Parliament and staff, where he shared insights on the parliament of Botswana's capacity building initiatives.
The Botswana delegation also participated in the consideration of an emergency item submitted by the delegation of Nepal on “Protecting civilians and critical civilian infrastructure in armed conflicts: Urgent parliamentary action to uphold international law,” which was debated and adopted by the Assembly.
New IPU President Elected
The Speaker commended the outgoing IPU President, Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson, for serving with distinction during her three-year tenure from October 2023 to October 2026.
The election of the new IPU President was held on Friday, 9 October 2026. Hon. Milton Dick of Australia emerged victorious with 182 votes, followed by Prof. Sahiba Gafarova of Azerbaijan with 124 votes and Hon. Rojo Edwards of Chile with 21 votes.
Hon. Milton Dick will serve as IPU President until October 2029.
The Speaker and his delegation are expected to return to Botswana on 11 October 2026, upon conclusion of the official engagements in Tanzania.
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