NNN sets tone ahead of UNGA81

NEW YORK-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah heads to the 81st United Nations General Assembly with a focus on securing investment and partnerships to translate Namibia’s economic diplomacy into jobs, infrastructure development and opportunities at home.

Leading the Namibian delegation, Nandi-Ndaitwah will depart today for New York to participate in the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81). She will deliver Namibia’s national statement on 23 September under the theme **‘**Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for
All.’ However, Namibia’s participation will not be measured only by the president’s speech or the number of high-
level meetings she attends, but by what comes out of those engagements.

“The success of Namibia’s participation will be measured through the outcomes of high-level engagements, the strengthening of strategic partnerships, and the implementation of commitments arising from the General Assembly,” presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said in response to questions from New Era.

This means the government will be looking at whether discussions in New York result in concrete partnerships, investment and support for national development priorities. The Presidency said Namibia will seek concessional development and climate finance, as well as investment in green hydrogen, energy, water and logistics infrastructure.

According to the presidency, technical partnerships would also be pursued where they can contribute to jobs, skills development and improved public services.

Mbambo said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s engagements will focus on economic transformation, investment, infrastructure, energy and critical minerals, alongside climate resilience, water security, global health, youth empowerment, peace and security and sustainable development.

Namibia would specifically seek concessional development and climate finance, investment in green hydrogen, energy, water and logistics infrastructure, as well as technical partnerships that can translate into jobs, skills and improved services.

An UNGA81 forum scheduled for 24 September will focus specifically on financing Africa’s critical minerals and energy infrastructure, bringing together government leaders, development finance institutions, investors and private-sector stakeholders. Nandi-Ndaitwah is listed as the guest of honour at the event.

“Economic transformation and Namibia’s efforts to attract investment that contributes meaningfully to industrialisation, value addition and employment creation will also feature in the President’s engagements,” said Mbambo.

The government’s position is also aligned with NDP6, which places economic diversification, structural transformation and the shift from raw-material exports towards high-value production and natural-resource beneficiation among its priorities.

In addition, Namibia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Penda Naanda, said the president’s participation should be understood within the wider role of the General Assembly in shaping the international agenda.

“There can never be a relaxed programme at the United Nations,” Naanda said, stressing the demanding nature of the engagements surrounding the General Assembly.

Namibia remains an active participant in the work of the United Nations and the country’s delegation follows issues discussed at the organisation throughout the year, Naanda said.

The focus on investment comes against a broader national push to translate development plans into employment and economic opportunities. The United Nations in Namibia reported in August that the government has committed to creating 500 000 jobs while accelerating economic transformation under NDP6.

The Presidency said Namibia will use the session to advance its interests while contributing to discussions on conflicts, economic uncertainty, climate change and challenges facing the multilateral system.

Nandi-Ndaitwah will be accompanied by first gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials. -ljason@nepc.com.na

The post NNN sets tone ahead of UNGA81 appeared first on New Era.