STAFF WRITER
President Netumbo Nandi -Ndaitwah has told heads of state and governments attending the ongoing United Nations General Assembly that Namibia is pushing to improve the participation of youth in the country’s ongoing green energy transition.
Speaking at the UNGA early Thursday the president also highlighted the country’s challenges to climate change, adding that a shared solution between the rich and poor countries is essential in dealing with the problem in future.
“As part of our development agenda, we are preparing our young people for the emerging industries such as oil and gas, renewable energy, and Green hydrogen among others,” the president said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia is using access to education and resources as a conveyor belt to produce more skilled young people that will be able to drive the country’s green industries.
“This year we have introduced 100 percent subsidized registration and tuition fees for Namibian students entering universities and Vocational Training Centers and encourage them to take appropriate courses. The government established the National Youth Development Fund last year. As a result of this Fund, young people have set up their own medical practices, Law Firms, milling plants, poultry businesses to mention a few. Thus contributing to job creation and poverty reduction,” she said
She said Namibia also takes cognizance of the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing human progress, in line with the Global Digital Compact.
“However, we call for the ethical, responsible, inclusive, and human-centered development, and use of artificial intelligence, with appropriate safeguards, to ensure that technological advancement complements and enhances human capabilities, rather than undermining them,” she said.
The President also welcomed the creation of the African Credit Rating Agency to be launched in Mauritius in October this year as a building block of Africa taking ownership of her development and prosperity agenda.
“ It demonstrates progress in Africa’s ambition to drive impetus for the reform of the international financial architecture, in order to ensure a level playing field.
Middle-Income countries continue to face high borrowing costs, limited fiscal space, debt vulnerabilities, climate- related shocks and persistent inequalities,” she said.
Nandi- Ndaitwah said Namibia reaffirms the Sevilla Commitments as an important step, towards reforming the international financial architecture and strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development.
She said the system must become more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the realities of the Middle-Income Countries.
“The world is experiencing increasing devastating floods, relentless heatwaves, frequent hurricanes and prolonged periods of drought. At times, it feels that we are at war with Mother Nature. At this point Namibia reiterates its solidarity with the government and people of Nepal following the recent floods in that country,” the President said.
She said Namibia continues to face significant climatic challenges as a result of climate change, including recurring droughts, rising temperatures, and growing pressures on agriculture and water resources.
“ In the spirit of climate justice: we call for a greater responsibility by those that have contributed most to global greenhouse gas emissions, including through increased support for countries that are most vulnerable to climate impacts. It is through sustainable climate financing, that we will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal to combat climate change,” she said.
She reiterated the importance of focusing on water as climate change intensifies droughts, floods, desertification and land degradation across Africa.
“As an arid country, Namibia continues to promote the prudent use and conservation of water, integrated water resources management, groundwater recharge and greater investment in sustainable water infrastructure,” she said.
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