The Kingdom of Lesotho celebrated its Bicentennial as a Nation in 2024. Over a large part of this period. However, despite this significant milestone, we are still classified by the United Nations as one of the world’s Least Developed Countries.
We Basotho are a proud nation and are sufficiently realistic to accept that only we
can remedy this undignified status. We also know that we cannot do this without
help. This does not mean the charity of development aid, but dignified, substan-
tive and competitive investment.
Lesotho’s stock in trade is a high-quality suite of re-newable energy resources and a plentiful supply of the purest mountain water.
In a world dominated by fossil-fuel energy, climate change is out of control, progressive drought is rampant and uncontaminated water is a rarity. We are poised to establish a substantial, sustainable renewable energy and water economy. Our priority is to satisfy the deficit in our domestic energy demand and then
to harness this potential by exporting clean energy and higher quality water supply to the region.
In doing so we will also be meeting our
commitments to the Paris Accord, and will conceivably become the first country in Africa to be a fully carbon neutral electricity generator.
We need investment in our renewable energy and water sectors, not charity. We are
also humble enough to recognise that we cannot develop our renewable energy sector without investment, financial and technical support as well as institutional capacity if we are able to achieve our ambitions.
I thank you on behalf of the people of Lesotho. His Majesty King Letsie III.
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