Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Joshua Setipa, Lesotho’s former Minister of Trade and Industry and candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General, concluded his campaign this week after meeting with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Hasan, in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting, held on Monday, October 14, 2024, focused on strengthening the Commonwealth and marked the final stop in Setipa’s diplomatic push ahead of the election set for next week in Samoa.
Setipa, 55, brings decades of experience in public service, including his role as managing director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. Currently serving as a senior director within the Commonwealth Secretariat, his platform emphasizes economic development and trade, particularly for the Commonwealth’s developing member states.
Setipa’s candidacy has received strong backing from several Commonwealth nations, particularly within Southern Africa. Throughout his campaign, he has also voiced the need to address historical injustices, including calls for reparative justice for colonialism. His platform has resonated with nations seeking to reform Commonwealth institutions and improve cooperation on economic and trade matters.
Accompanied by Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoana, Setipa met with key stakeholders across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, building support for his bid.
