MASERU, Lesotho — Top government officials and diplomats gathered on Friday, 29 May 2025, for a high-level diplomatic consultation convened by Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. The meeting brought together the Government Secretary, Heads of Missions, Principal Secretaries, and other national stakeholders to align the country’s foreign policy with its broader development goals.
Ambassador Nena opened the session with a presentation focused on understanding global shifts and their direct consequences for Lesotho. He noted the fast-changing international landscape and how these dynamics are influencing the kingdom’s diplomatic relations and national development strategies.
Director of Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Molefi Nyaka, outlined Lesotho’s strategy for international engagement through multilateralism, bilateral relations, and active diaspora involvement. He presented economic diplomacy as a key foreign policy tool to attract both diaspora and foreign investment. The strategy includes scholarship mobilisation, securing job opportunities abroad for Basotho nationals through Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs), seeking Official Development Assistance (ODA) and technical support, expanding markets for Lesotho’s exports, promoting tourism, encouraging remittances, and fostering international economic partnerships.
Ambassador Tumisang Mosotho addressed the role of diplomacy in securing national interests, tackling external challenges, and identifying new international opportunities to benefit Lesotho’s socio-economic landscape.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning contributed with an outline of national priorities, calling for a stronger alignment between foreign policy and the extended National Strategic Development Plan II.
Mr. Nkhotha Machachamise, Deputy Principal Secretary from the Department of Home Affairs, addressed migration governance, stressing the importance of managing cross-border movement while protecting national security. The department aims to create a safe and thriving environment for all residents and visitors.
The Ministry of Communications, represented by its Principal Secretary, provided updates on ongoing ICT infrastructure projects and called for support from diplomatic missions to strengthen Lesotho’s digital capabilities and connectivity.
