VISION
Respected and influential player in World Affairs
The Ministry of International Relations (MIR) is the custodian and key driver of Botswana's foreign policy. As such, the Ministry manages and nurtures Botswana's relations with the international community, while promoting the country's interest abroad.
These interests include protecting the country's territorial and national sovereignty; ensuring that Botswana is at peace with other countries; that her people can develop in a stable political environment that attracts foreign direct investment, secures export markets, as well as development and technical assistance.
The Ministry is charged with the responsibility of promoting Botswana's national interests abroad. This entails implementing Botswana's foreign policy, through establishing, promoting and maintaining Botswana's relations with other countries, as well as regional and international organisations. This includes promotion of political, economic, social and cultural relations.
Botswana's foreign policy is guided by the following broad principles:
- Democracy
- Development
- Self-reliance
- National Unity
- Botho
- Good neighbourliness
- Peaceful coexistence
- Peaceful resolution of conflicts
- Articulate Botswana's foreign policy
- Promote friendly relations with the international community with a view to establish and secure goodwill towards Botswana
- Articulate and defend Botswana's interests in the regional and international organisations
- Promote and protect Botswana's interests and her citizens abroad, as well as enhance the country's security and prosperity
- Promote favourable conditions for Botswana's trade, foreign investments, tourism and to seek scientific, technological and cultural cooperation with other countries and institutions
- Serve as a main communication channel between Botswana Government and the International Community
- Develop bilateral frameworks to enhance the realisation of Botswana's foreign policy objectives
- Coordinate matters with a bearing on foreign relations
- Manage Diplomatic immunities and privileges
- Provision of service on behalf of other Government Ministries and Departments
- Coordinate State and official visits by Heads of State
- State Protocol and State Functions
MISSION
The Ministry exists to manage foreign relations as well as advance Botswana's interests abroad. It also provides protocol and consular services in accordance to international norms and practice. It is committed to providing professional, effective and efficient services to its clients and stakeholders.
VALUES
- Integrity: (fairness, trustworthy, courtesy, honesty);
- Discipline: (punctuality, polite, prompt, obedient, order, self-control, authority)
- Professionalism: (competence)
- Botho: (compassionate, courteous, selfless, respectful)
- Transparency
WHERE WE WORK
UNITED STATES
Botswana Embassy (Washington DC)
Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations (New York)
BRAZIL
UNITED KINGDOM
GERMANY
AUSTRALIA
ETHIOPIA
ZIMBABWE
MOZAMBIQUE
BELGIUM
FRANCE
Botswana has twenty-three (23) Diplomatic Missions abroad, including one Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Missions are headed by the respective High Commissioners and Ambassadors
The location of the Diplomatic Missions is as follows:
9 in Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
4 in Asia: Australia, China, India and Japan
6 in Europe: Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
1 in the Gulf Region: Kuwait
2 in North America: United States (New York and Washington DC)
1 in South America: Brazil