Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pleaded with the European Union (EU) to continue funding various socio-economic and development projects which have greatly benefitted Namibia’s developmental aaspirations.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking at the 2022 Session of the EU-Namibia Political Dialogue last week.
“The EU has been a consistent development partner over the years, and we have substantively benefited from the EU development cooperation, through various socio-economic and development projects funded through the European Development Fund (EDF).
“The EU has also been supporting entrepreneurship and the enhancement of the livelihood of Northern Communal Areas (NCA) livestock farming communities in a sustainable way, with the purpose to improve the performance of the livestock value chain in the NCA. This Livestock Support Programme is funded through a Programme Estimate (PE) by the EU to the amount of about N$284 million,” Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted.
Furthermore, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, the EU has also been supporting the improvement of access to portable water and appropriate means of sanitation for the Namibian population, through the Namibian Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Programme (NAWASA) since January 2011.
A total of one-hundred and thirty (130) villages (6191 households) in 7 regions benefited from NAWASA project; and about 1945 toilets were constructed throughout the implementation phase.
“Through Global Europe, development cooperation between the EU and Namibia will have various priority areas, as agreed to between the National Planning Commission and the EU Delegation to Namibia. These include foundational skills/education, inclusive green growth, good governance and gender equality, and support measures. These areas will be supported by the EU between 2021 and 2025 to the tune of about N$ 641 million,” she further said.
The 2022 Session of the EU-Namibia Political Dialogue which was co-chaired by Nandi-Ndaitwah and Sinikka Antila, Ambassador of the EU to Namibia, was dedicated to the Day of the Namibian Child, marked annually on the 28th of September, the day Namibia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ten (10) EU Member States attended in total, with eight in person, namely Spain, Germany, France, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, Poland and Sweden, while Belgium and Italy joined online. The Namibian Delegation included Kornelia Shilunga, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Dr. Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus, Namibia’s Ambassador to the EU, and representatives from the following Ministries, Offices and Agencies (OMAs): the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, National Planning Commission, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, and the International Women Peace Centre.
The agenda allowed the two parties to engage in an in-depth discussion on a number of topics of shared and common interest, ranging from Namibia-EU relations, peace and security, climate change; trade and economic cooperation, among others.
A special focus was given to Namibia’s industrialisation aspirations in order to enhance economic growth and development, while addressing socio-economic challenges, such as youth unemployment, and social inequalities. The parties discussed the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement, as well as support to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Deliberations also focused on a planned Partnership on Sustainable Critical Raw Materials Value Chains and Renewable Hydrogen. Upon conclusion, the Partnership will give rise to a new chapter of economic cooperation between Namibia and the EU , including the private sector, promoting industrialization, the beneficiation to critical raw materials which are strategic for energy transition and the development of a green hydrogen economy in Namibia
The Dialogue also covered human rights issues, with particular attention to the Namibia’s role as the member of the UN Human Rights Council. The meeting confirmed the shared interests in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and congratulated Namibia upon assuming the role of Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
EU development cooperation under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme covers priority areas, including Foundational Skills and Education, Inclusive Green Growth, Good Governance and Gender Equality.