Niël Terblanché
Dr Hage Geingob, the President of Namibia, delivered an ardent address at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) where he laid out a blueprint for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
At the start of his address, Geingob extended Namibia’s felicitations to the newly elected President of the 78th Session of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, while also commending the dedication of his predecessor, Csaba Kőrösi.
President Geingob echoed a sentiment shared by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on the dire need for immediate action to realize the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the growing disparities in global development.
He highlighted the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed the rising number of people living in extreme poverty. He urged the international community to accelerate investments in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and renewable energy.
Geingob pointed to the widening gap between the affluent and the marginalized as a significant threat to global peace and stability and called for an environment where prosperity is shared.
The Namibian Head of State drew attention to Namibia’s successes in closing the gender gap, with women holding key positions in politics and other sectors of the country’s economy. He stressed the significance of inclusivity for social harmony.
Recognizing rapid technological advancements, Geingob expressed concern about developing countries being left behind. He advocated for more significant investments in technology transfer and skills development from the more prosperous economies of the world.
On the pressing issue of climate change, Geingob revealed that Namibia was making strides in transforming its economy through green energy projects, attracting over $20 billion for the development of its renewable energy potential.
The Oshivela project by HyIron, aiming to produce green iron, was accentuated as a beacon for green industrialization, expected to offset a substantial portion of Namibia’s CO2 emissions.
The President also shared plans for developing green shipping corridors in collaboration with global partners to foster clean maritime trade.
Geingob voiced Namibia’s concerns regarding long-standing international conflicts. He made a compelling plea for the lifting of punitive measures against Cuba, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela, labelling them as roadblocks to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He repeated his call for the realization of self-determination rights for the people of Western Sahara and Palestine.
Geingob emphasized the power of multilateralism and he urged nations to unite in the face of global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and pandemics.
He reiterated the need for immediate action, fostering an inclusive world where no one feels left behind.
