Justicia Shipena
Political analyst Henning Melber says Namibia has little to offer as a follow-up to the Pact for the Future in the wake of the post-government transition.
Last year, Namibia, together with Germany, co-hosted the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future, which led to the adoption of the Pact for the Future during the 79th UN General Assembly.
The pact seeks to build a safer, more peaceful, and sustainable world. The summit also adopted the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
Melber noted that Namibia’s focus at this year’s assembly may shift toward its unique leadership profile.
“Namibia is the only UN member state in which the three highest offices are occupied by women,” he said.
He emphasised that climate change remains a major concern.
“The dire implications of climate change for Namibia cannot be ignored, despite or rather in contrast with the occasional flush rains,” he said.
Melber also warned about trade pressures.
“The recent weaponising of trade relations through imposed tariffs highlights the vulnerability of an economy dependent on export commodities. It limits the scope for reforms and makes the country more exposed to external pressures,” he said.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will deliver her maiden statement before the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA80) on 24 September.
She departed for the United States this morning to lead Namibia’s delegation to the high-level week, which runs from 23 to 29 September under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
According to the presidency, her programme includes high-level engagements on women’s empowerment, sustainable development, climate action, global economic reform, youth, peace and security, and nuclear disarmament.
She will also hold bilateral talks with heads of state and government, attend cultural and business promotion events, and take part in the “Experience Namibia in New York” showcase hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
The Business Council for International Understanding is also planning a roundtable with global business leaders.
On 25 September, she will travel to Philadelphia to meet business leaders and academia in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
She will be accompanied by senior government officials and is scheduled to return to Namibia on 26 September.
Meanwhile, UN secretary general António Guterres has urged world leaders to use the 80th session of the General Assembly to focus on solutions rather than political point-scoring.
At a press conference in New York this week, António Guterres warned that the world is facing “turbulent – even uncharted – waters” ahead of the high-level week.
“Geopolitical divides are widening. Conflicts raging. Impunity escalating. Our planet is overheating. New technologies racing ahead without guardrails. Inequalities are widening by the hour. And international cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes,” Guterres said.
Nearly 150 Heads of State and Government are expected in New York for this year’s high-level week.
