Productive dialogue with Hon. Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister at @MIRT_NAMIBIA.
We agreed that trade and investment must work for people, creating #decentjobs for young Namibians through value addition and mineral processing that grows local industry.
Met with H.E. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss strengthening the partnership between @ILO and Namibia. 🇳🇦
We exchanged on advancing youth employment, social protection, international labour standards, and promoting better working conditions and productivity for all.
MEDIA STATEMENT: AMBASSADOR DR. MEKONDJO KAAPANDA-GIRNUS ASSUMES OFFICE AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
#UNCTAD16 concludes with record participation of 170 countries & an agreed declaration on trade and development – “The Geneva Consensus”
Leaders committed to reforming global systems for fairer, more predictable & inclusive development.
Press release: ▶️ https://t.co/Ssv7kjcLZV
The @UN is more than a meeting place.
It is a moral compass.
A force for peace.
A guardian of international law.
A catalyst for sustainable development.
A lifeline for people in crisis.
A lighthouse for human rights.
The UN has never been more essential.
#UNGA
Statement by H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah President of The Republic of Namibia on the Occasion of the Luncheon Consultation on The Revitalization of National Youth Centres
21 September 2025
New York
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I join you today at this luncheon focused on our shared belief in holistic youth development through sports as a sure path to inclusive prosperity.
In July this year, I officially launched Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6)—our final national plan on the road to Vision 2030, under the theme “Fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness and Resilience for Sustainable Development.”
It is a people-first roadmap, built on four pillars: economic transformation, human development, environmental sustainability, and effective governance. These align with the SDGs, AU Agenda 2063, and SADC Vision 2050, anchoring our global partnerships in a clear national framework.
Among our priorities, economic diversification and digital transformation stand out. We are shifting from reliance on primary industries to building value chains, skills, and innovation. We envision a fully digital government ecosystem by 2030, powered by universal connectivity and a knowledge-based economy.
Our objective is to maximise the potential of Namibia's youth population to drive sustainable socio-economic development, through youth empowerment, sport development and the Culture and Creative Industry. In this regard, we aim to improve the lives of our youth for self-actualisation and reliance by improving access to equitable quality information and services towards strengthening their employability.
Towards this end, our Government has launched a National Youth Fund, with a capital of 257 million Namibian Dollars, for skills development, including apprenticeship. We want to build the capacity of our young people and enable their increased participation in economic activities.
We further aim to professionalise and commercialise sport for sustainable socio-economic development, peace and social inclusion. My desire is to have sports facilities in every constituency in Namibia. The Government plans to build critical infrastructure, create new industries, and ensure a healthier and more productive workforce.
In this regard, Namibia was honoured to host the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in July 2025. Such initiatives not only demonstrate our country’s readiness to increase investments in sports, but they actually reinforce our ambition to building our human capital, in particular our young people.
We are delighted to hear about the successes of the Physically Active Youth (PAY) Programme, being run by Dr. Ndimbira-Rosner, which has been running in Katutura, Windhoek, for over 20 years. This initiative, empowers our young people with the support of after school care activities assisting our learners with homework. The cycling development programme run at the centre which has had a tremendous impact on our young people back home.
Therefore, as I conclude, I wish to invite our partners to support our government initiatives towards youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, sports development and infrastructure, as well as the PAY Programme. A healthy nation is a productive nation, in order for our young people to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the world, we must join hands to ensure the holistic development of our youth.
I thank you.
Video: On the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the Republic of Namibia held a bilateral meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The discussions reaffirmed Namibia’s strong partnership with the United Nations and underscored shared priorities, including advancing sustainable development, strengthening multilateralism, and addressing global challenges.
Statement by H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia on the Occasion of the High-Level General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
24 September 2025
New York
Madam President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When the Founders convened 80 years ago, they did so:
· To establish an organization, among others to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
· To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, dignity of the human person, and equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small and;
· To lay the groundwork for a durable system that promotes justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and international law.
While over the following decades, we have come close to the brink of war, the United Nations has stood the test of time. From decolonization to promoting the right to self-determination, from conflict prevention and securing peace, to the provision of humanitarian assistance, the UN has continued to fulfill its founding mandate under very difficult circumstances. Therefore, the international community must honour the brave men and women who under the blue flag have been at the forefront in securing world peace.
Namibia’s journey to independence is one of the UN’s most success stories. It was through this very Organization that our forebearers tirelessly petitioned for the end of Apartheid-colonial rule in Namibia, for freedom and independence of our people.
My personal journey with the United Nations begun in 1974 where I have had the privilege to serve my country and Africa in various capacities within the halls of this distinguished global organ. Today, I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you, as fifth President of the Republic of Namibia, with a mandate to deliver services and ensure justice for all inhabitants of our country. As a woman, I encourage every girl and woman by affirming that, your voice matters. Your vision is needed as it will pave your way to the helm of whatever institution.
Madam President,
Namibian’s 8th Administration is built on the strong foundation and legacy of our predecessors,” under the theme “Unity in Diversity, Natural Resources Beneficiation, and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”. That theme aims to shape and transform the Namibian economy through value addition.
Hence, we have identified agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, education and training, creative industries, health services, land and housing as critical sectors, supported by mining, energy, water, tourism, infrastructures development, transport and logistics, to sustain our economic development, through our long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030.
This Vision is being implemented through a series of National Development Plans (NDPs). Recently, we launched the sixth NDP with its fundamental pillars clearly aligned to the global agenda such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
Some of our achievements include the launch and the operationalization of a National Youth Fund and, to assist young entrepreneurs. In the area of education, we will abolish registration and tuition fees in all public institutions of high learning and vocational training centers.
On energy, Namibia is diversifying her energy mix, using all our natural resources. In addition, Namibia presented her Energy Compact at the Africa Energy Forum, thus enabling us to access concessional funding for national energy initiatives.
On a day when the world paused to reflect on the urgency of disarmament, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), for a timely courtesy call. The meeting coincided with the United Nations’ observance of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, a symbolic reminder of the stakes at hand.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Dr. Floyd exchanged views on Namibia’s steadfast support for nuclear non-proliferation and their shared vision of a safer, more secure world.
The President described the engagement as an important step toward strengthening cooperation in verification capacity and technical collaboration, stressing that such partnerships bring real meaning to the global call for peace.
“What a remarkable coincidence,” she noted, reflecting on how Namibia’s message at the UN earlier in the day resonated with the dialogue with CTBTO. She underscored that the ultimate responsibility of leaders and institutions is to reassure citizens across the globe that they are safe because, in her words, “that is truly the issue of our time.”
During a strategic meeting in New York City, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Florizelle Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), to explore opportunities for enhancing trade and investment.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to being “open for business,” identifying seven priority areas: agriculture, youth and sports, education, health, creative industries, and housing as key avenues for collaboration.
Ms. Liser highlighted CCA’s eagerness to connect American businesses with Namibia, noting the significant interest already shown. “This is an honor for us, and we look forward to promoting increased investment in Namibia’s key sectors,” she stated.
The meeting reinforced Namibia’s dedication to strengthening its partnership with the United States and creating new pathways for mutual prosperity.
Namibia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Penda Naanda, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday.
In the meeting, Ambassador Naanda congratulated Secretary-General Guterres for his unwavering dedication to promoting and protecting international peace and security, development, and human rights.
He reaffirmed Namibia’s full support for the Secretary-General’s efforts to fulfil the mandate of the United Nations.
Photos: @MIRT_NAMIBIA
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Even though technologies like AI are moving at breakneck speed, global dialogue can help us navigate these waves of innovation wisely, build trust, and ensure that tech lifts people up, rather than leaving them behind.