Niël Terblanché
In a historic address at the Inaugural Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Namibian President Hage Geingob outlined a collaborative vision for a sustainable future, stressing the importance of green energy transition and green hydrogen in the global landscape.
President Geingob’s remarks came during a Leaders Session at the forum, where leaders from around the world convened to discuss critical issues related to sustainability.
The President recounted his significant meeting with Dr Ursula von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at COP27 in Sharm-El Sheikh, Egypt, last year.
During this meeting, the two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding, cementing their commitment to joint efforts in the development of green hydrogen and critical raw materials.
Their discussions continued during a bilateral meeting, focusing on a sustainable development pathway for their respective economies.
Namibia, with its abundant natural resources and advanced infrastructure, finds itself well-positioned to contribute to meeting the growing global demand for hydrogen and its derivatives.
According to the Namibian Green Hydrogen Strategy, the demand for hydrogen is projected to increase substantially, making swift action imperative.
The President said that mere resource endowments and infrastructure are insufficient without a strong focus on value addition to Namibia’s natural resources and technology transfer.
He stressed the need to move beyond the trading of unprocessed commodities and to prioritize local skills development, particularly vocational training, as a crucial aspect of the partnership.
During the EU-Namibia Business Forum, project developers from both Namibia and the EU highlighted the necessity for well-crafted and targeted off-take support mechanisms to encourage robust supply chains and fair economic development opportunities.
The President pointed to the importance of collective efforts in fulfilling the mandate of the Global Gateway initiative, advocating for sustainable investment through partnerships.
He referenced the incoming COP Presidency’s call for global leaders to deliver a comprehensive plan of action at COP28 in Dubai, emphasizing the need to work together to create innovative solutions.
As the world prepares for COP28, the collaboration between Namibia and the EU in green hydrogen and sustainable development promises to be a beacon of hope for a greener and more prosperous future.
The 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) is scheduled for December 2023 in Dubai, where leaders are expected to announce innovative solutions to address global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.
