Botswana President Ian Khama to Meet President Barack Obama

Published on Tuesday 3rd November 2009

Botswana President Ian Khama is scheduled to leave today to the United States to meet President Barack Obama in Washington DC.

The Office of the President (OP) in Botswana said President Khama will meet President Obama on Thursday this week at the White House.

"The two leaders are expected to discuss such issues as sound governance, economic development and the sustainable management of natural resources," a statement from the OP said on Monday evening. It added that HIV/AIDS will also form part of discussions between the two leaders.

The White House has described Botswana as a strong democratic partner in sub-Saharan Africa and a leader on the African continent in the field of conservation and HIV/Aids prevention and treatment.

The Botswana President is expected back home on Sunday. Besides meeting President Obama, President Khama will also attend the Conservation International 2009 board of directors meeting in Washington.

President Khama is known for his great love for nature and conservation. He has been a board member of Conservation International for over a decade.

Conservation International is a non-profit organisation that seeks to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity.

This is the second time that President Khama is visiting America since he came to power in April last year. The first visit last year was a private affair when President Khama attended the Conservation International board of directors meeting.