TIRI MASAWI
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for international partners to work with the country in diversifying its energy mix with specific inclination towards renewable energy.
The President said sustainable energy is key to achieving sustainable development and economic growth.
Addressing members of the diplomatic community accredited to Namibia on Tuesday Nandi-Ndaitwah said sustainable development cannot be achieved without reliable, affordable, and secure energy.
“Namibia, therefore, continues to prioritize the diversification of its energy mix, with attention to clean and renewable energy, to support industrialisation, economic growth, and improved livelihoods for our people. We invite our international strategic partners to accompany us on this journey, guided by mutual benefit, technology transfer, and shared responsibility,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The President told members of the diplomatic community that climate change remains both an existential and developmental challenge, particularly for vulnerable countries such as Namibia.
She said Namibia continues to advocate for predictable, accessible, and affordable climate and development finance, with a strong emphasis on adaptation and resilience.
She called for global commitments to be matched by concrete delivery, effective implementation, and measurable impact.
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
Nandi -Ndaitwah said Namibia has shifted its foreign towards economic diplomacy.
“This is no longer a complementary aspect of our international engagement, but a central instrument in advancing our national development objectives. Hence, the renaming of the ministry to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade,”she said.
The President said Namibia is determined to ensure that international partnerships translate into tangible and measurable benefits, including increased investment, expanded trade, skills development, technology transfer, and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities.
“We remain deeply grateful for the meaningful contributions of our international strategic partners in advancing Namibia’s development agenda, particularly
through their continued support for the goals and objectives of our Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
“These efforts have been instrumental in strengthening institutional capacity, advancing national priorities, and fostering inclusive and sustainable development for all Namibians,” she said.
She said Namibia continues to nurture and expand partnerships across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
“We place particular emphasis on the role of effective diplomatic missions and consular cooperation in promoting two-way investment, facilitating market
access for Namibian products, and strengthening people-to-people ties that deepen understanding between our societies,” she said.
According to the President Namibia remains a principled and committed advocate of multilateralism.
“Within SADC, we work closely with our partners to advance economic integration, industrialization, and the development of regional value chains. Our collective objective is to move our region beyond the export of raw materials, towards the production of higher-value goods through local beneficiation and value addition,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia remains firmly committed to the objectives of Agenda 2063 and the aspiration to silence the guns, recognizing that peace, stability, and good governance are indispensable foundations for sustainable development.
Globally, Namibia continues to advocate for climate justice, food security, inclusive growth, and fair global economic governance, particularly in defence of the interests of developing countries.
“As the international system faces growing strain from geopolitical rivalries, economic fragmentation, and the escalating impacts of climate change, Namibia remains resolute in its belief that diplomacy, dialogue, and effective multilateralism remain indispensable,” she said.
COMMENTS