FROM MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

 The 70^th Session of the UN General Assembly met on 25 to 27 September 2015 at the UN Headquarters in New York and adopted the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs, made up of 17 goals and 169 targets, will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when the latter conclude in December 2015, thus bringing to a close the 15 year lifespan of the MDGs.

Despite the achievements made by most countries including Botswana on reduction of extreme poverty; increasing school enrolment and the number of women in decision-making positions; reducing child mortality, maternal deaths as well as reversing the spread of HIV there are still challenges that need to be addressed in the new development agenda.

 Development of the SDGs started in 2012 through a regional consultative process facilitated by the United Nations. The process resulted in formulation of a new development framework entitled “The Post 2015 Development Agenda”, which formed the basis for development of the SDGs. The goals, which are inclusive in nature and based on the concept of “leaving no one behind” are a commitment made by all UN member states to address the gaps and challenges identified in MDGs. The 169 targets will assist in monitoring progress regularly in implementation of the SDGs over the next 15 year period.

The new development agenda and has at its core the integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. These elements are captured in the five Ps – People; Planet; Prosperity; Peace; and Partnership.

The SDGs call for action by all countries; poor, rich and middle income. Poverty eradication has been identified as the overarching goal. Additionally, member states pledge that, central to improving the quality of life of people the world over is; ending poverty; reducing inequality; promotion of full and productive employment; promoting healthy lives; ensuring inclusive and quality education; peaceful and inclusive societies and providing access to justice for all; combating climate change and its impact. 

UN Member States committed to implement the SDGs by 2030.

Goal 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Mandate of the Division

The mandate of the Division is the formulation and coordination of the national economic and financial policies and comprises two sub-divisions of Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Policy. The Division is headed by the Secretary for Economic and Financial Policy and the two sub divisions which are headed by two Deputy Permanent Secretaries: Deputy Secretary for Macroeconomic Policy and Deputy Secretary for Financial Policy.

Vision:

“Prudent financial and economic management of resources for the prosperity of all Batswana’’ 

Mission:

“To develop and coordinate macro-economic, employment, wages and incomes policies, and financial development policies.”

Sub-Divisions:

 Macroeconomic Policy Sub-Division is made up of 4 Sections:

o  Macroeconomic Policy Section

o  International Economic Policy Coordination (IEPC) Section

o  Population and Development Section

o  Human Resources Planning and Enterprise Development Policy Section

 Financial Policy Sub-Division consists of 3 Sections:

o  Finance and Banking Policy

o  Insurance and Pension Policy

           o  Tax Policy 

  Financial Policy Sub-Division

The Financial Policy Sub-Division executes its mandate through the Tax Policy Section, the Finance & Banking Section and the Insurance & Pension Section.

a).    Tax Policy Section   

The Tax Policy Section is responsible for formulation of taxation policies and reviewing of both direct and indirect tax legislation.  The Section is also responsible for negotiating double taxation avoidance agreements to counter tax evasion and to avoid double taxation of income. Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements also help to attract foreign direct investment. The Section undertakes research and revenue forecasting in order to advise fiscal policy makers.  The Section generally gives technical advice on taxation issues to the Minister responsible for finance in the execution of powers vested in him under the country’s tax law. The Section also advises the Government as a whole when any Ministry enters into bilateral agreements with governments of other countries.  Further, the Tax Policy Section currently serves as Secretariat for the Taxation Review Committee – which reviews taxation laws and the Board of Adjudicators – which hears appeals from taxpayers who are aggrieved by decisions made on their objections to their assessments by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service.

Furthermore, the Section serves as the Secretariat for SACU activities at national level to liaise with other government departments and organizations as well as the SACU Secretariat in Namibia.  It ensures ratification of trade agreements related to customs.  It also ensures that all amendments to the Tariff Book are laid before the National Assembly. The Section also liaises with the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding changes to the customs tariff in accordance with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Agreement.

b).   Finance and Banking Section

 This section is made up of the Banking and the Finance Units. 

Banking Unit

The main function of the Banking Unit is to formulate and review legislation/regulations governing different non-bank financial institutions in order to incorporate new developments in the financial sector.  The Unit is also responsible for overseeing the development of capital markets in Botswana. It also deals with matters relating to money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.  It liaises with Bank of Botswana on regular basis concerning Finance and Banking issues in general.  The Unit also monitors the operations of the National Development Bank, Botswana Building Society and Botswana Savings Bank, Botswana Stock Exchange, Public Procurement & Asset disposal Board and Botswana Investment Trade Centre.

Finance Unit

The main function of the Finance Unit is to administer the Government Motor Vehicle and Residential Property Advanced Scheme (GEMVAS). This involves checking the relevant documentation; approval or otherwise and the recommendation to the bank for the disbursement of funds.  Unit is also responsible for identifying the defaulters and making some follow-ups.

c).    Insurance and Pension Section 

This Section is made up of the Insurance and the Pension Units.

The Insurance and Pension Section is responsible for providing guidance on policy issues affecting insurance and pension; advising all Ministries and parastatal organisations on insurance and pension matters; for reviewing and recommending amendments to the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority Act and Regulations and all financial services laws that apply to insurance and pension and to ensure the drafting of new legislation and amendments of existing legislation on insurance and pension. The Section is also involved in consumer awareness in insurance and pension matters.