THE the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of Botswana officially inaugurated the 2015 Commonwealth Local Government Conference at 9am on 16 June.

The President addressed an audience of some 500 delegates from across the Commonwealth as well as invited local dignitaries at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) in Botswana.

His address focussed on the conference theme – Local government 2030: achieving the vision – addressing issues such as the way forward for local government to be able to play its part in delivering the soon-to-be agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urbanisation, and the localisation of resources to enable local government to deliver on the pledges.

CLGF Chairperson Mayor Lawrence Yule, Botswana Minister of Local Government Hon Slumber Tsogwane and Botswana Association of Local Authorities President Cllr Rev Mpho Moruakgomo also welcomed delegated to the conference.