King Letsie III of Lesotho wrapped up his mission at the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly with an important bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The meeting focused on the UN’s role in supporting developmental and humanitarian efforts in Lesotho, particularly regarding economic growth, peace, and stability.
Guterres conveyed his best wishes to King Letsie III on the bicentenary of the founding of the Basotho nation. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to helping Lesotho achieve sustainable development and tackle the impacts of climate change.
Meanwhile, Honorable Lejone Mpotjoana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, participated in the 48th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77. In his remarks, Mpotjoana urged the UN to address financing challenges faced by developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He called for reforms to the international financial system, an increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from developed countries, and greater concessional financing through Multilateral Development Banks. He also highlighted the need for developed nations to meet their climate finance commitments under the Paris Agreement without counting these funds as part of ODA.
Additionally, Honourable Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, met with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to discuss potential capital support for Lesotho, including grants, loans, and guarantees.
