Reception to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2025/2/24
(Photo Credit: Daily News)
(Photo Credit: Daily News)
On the 20th February 2025, Chargé d'affaires Mr. OGAWA Shin and Madame OGAWA Banu hosted a reception at the Avani Hotel to celebrate the 65th birthday of His Majesty, Emperor Naruhito of Japan.
The event was attended by approximately 110 participants, with Honourable Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations as the guest of honour. The evening was graced by other dignitaries, including His Honour the Vice President and Honourable Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe, Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse, Members of Parliament, Heads of the diplomatic corps, senior Botswana government officials and other distinguished guests.
Mr. OGAWA commenced his speech by expressing condolences for the devastating situation caused by the heavy rain and flooding the day before. He congratulated His Majesty the Emperor on his birthday and gave an overview of the relationship between Japan and Botswana, which has strengthened through various cooperation. This includes cooperating with international organizations to provide emergency support to areas affected by extreme weather, the construction of educational buildings through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects and the exchange of children's paintings between Ben Thema Primary School and Chigasaki Elementary School in Yokohama. He further shared the good news that for the latter partnership, Ben Thema Primary School received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2024. He also referred to the exchanges between Akita University and the University of Botswana as well as the Botswana International University of Science and Technology. Mr. OGAWA expressed his desire to further deepen the friendship between the two countries, based on cooperation in various fields.
Following this, Honourable Butale reflected on the various areas and levels of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Botswana. He highlighted Japan’s economic support for the Kazungula Bridge and the One-Stop Border Post, assistance during the COVID-19 crisis response, the construction of the Geological Remote Sensing Center, over 70 grass-roots grant projects, and the activities of JICA volunteers in Botswana. He also pledged Botswana’s commitment to the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which will be held in Yokohama in 2025.
The event was attended by approximately 110 participants, with Honourable Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations as the guest of honour. The evening was graced by other dignitaries, including His Honour the Vice President and Honourable Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe, Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse, Members of Parliament, Heads of the diplomatic corps, senior Botswana government officials and other distinguished guests.
Mr. OGAWA commenced his speech by expressing condolences for the devastating situation caused by the heavy rain and flooding the day before. He congratulated His Majesty the Emperor on his birthday and gave an overview of the relationship between Japan and Botswana, which has strengthened through various cooperation. This includes cooperating with international organizations to provide emergency support to areas affected by extreme weather, the construction of educational buildings through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects and the exchange of children's paintings between Ben Thema Primary School and Chigasaki Elementary School in Yokohama. He further shared the good news that for the latter partnership, Ben Thema Primary School received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2024. He also referred to the exchanges between Akita University and the University of Botswana as well as the Botswana International University of Science and Technology. Mr. OGAWA expressed his desire to further deepen the friendship between the two countries, based on cooperation in various fields.
Following this, Honourable Butale reflected on the various areas and levels of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Botswana. He highlighted Japan’s economic support for the Kazungula Bridge and the One-Stop Border Post, assistance during the COVID-19 crisis response, the construction of the Geological Remote Sensing Center, over 70 grass-roots grant projects, and the activities of JICA volunteers in Botswana. He also pledged Botswana’s commitment to the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which will be held in Yokohama in 2025.