For communities living across Africa, climate change isn’t a future challenge – changing weather patterns are having catastrophic impacts for people living on the continent right now. In South Sudan, flooding has affected over 600,000 people this year alone. In Northern Kenya, just one locust swarm was reported to contain up to 200 billion locusts, each capable of eating their own weight in food every single day. In 2019, Cyclone Idai tragically took the lives of 1,000 people and left 2.6 million people in need of shelter and food across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The catalogue of climate disasters from across Africa goes on – Day Zero in Cape Town, extreme drought across the Sahel, the shrinking of Lake Malawi. For African nations, the stakes couldn’t have been higher when world leaders gathered at the UN climate change conference this month. Which is why I am proud that, after two years of intensive global diplomacy, the historic climate agreement was reached at COP26 in Glasgow. The Glasgow Climate Pact supports a just transition for developing countries, and for the first time agrees a common timeframe and methodology for national commitments on emissions reductions. And critically for African communities – particularly the women and girls who are most at risk of the impacts of climate change - governments of wealthier nations have committed to double the overall climate finance for adaptation. The whole world played a role in reaching this deal. 154 countries and parties presented Nationally Determined Contributions, including many African nations who set out their own ambitious plans for reducing emissions. At the Summit, South Africa signed a ground-breaking partnership with the UK, France, Germany, the US and the European Union to support the country’s just energy transition – the first of its kind worldwide. This will increase international support to help South Africa achieve its climate targets, and create green and quality jobs in communities that would be affected by these changes. I applaud and congratulate this leadership – as COP negotiations show, these commitments aren’t easy. We know that African nations are responsible for just 2-3% of global emissions and at COP26 the message came across loud and clear – the whole world needs to step up to the challenge. And they did.  More than 130 countries signed up to a historic pledge covering over 90% of the world’s forest cover, to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. This included at least $1.5 billion to protect the Congo Basin – traversing DRC, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea, and home to the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest. In a significant step forward, more public and private finance was mobilised to support climate action in developing countries than ever before, with new pledges made at COP26 bringing us closer to meeting the $100bn annual climate finance target next year – and ensure we will exceed it after that. High-quality green investment is a triple-win: supporting nations to achieve their climate commitments, creating economic growth and jobs, and helping communities adapt to changing weather patterns. The UK is proud of our role in delivering reliable green investment. This includes the announcement at COP26 that we will be working with the African Development Bank, delivering ‘Room to Run’ – a new UK guarantee which is expected to unlock up to $2 billion worth of new financing for projects across the continent, half of which will help countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This is just the beginning. We know the critical 1.5°C global warming goal only remains within reach if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. We are leading the fight against climate change, including as a committed partner to African nations on climate action. Over the coming year of the UK’s COP Presidency I look forward to working with partners from across Africa to deliver the commitments made at COP26. These include the UK guarantee to the African Development Bank, but also new UK backing for African-led plans to accelerate resilience-building across the continent, with support for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program. And rolling out the UK’s new regional climate programme, which will operate across the continent, helping people to adapt to a changing climate, so communities and countries can thrive in an uncertain future.  Glasgow kept 1.5°C alive. But there is more work to be done ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference’s return next year, when COP27 will take place in Africa at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. So, we are rolling up our sleeves. The UK will continue the work to mobilise private finance and green investment, to support the women and girls most at risk from changing climates, to boost adaptation and to better address the threat of loss and damage in climate-vulnerable countries. Working together, for our planet, to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact.  

Represented by Mr. James Mnyupe, Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Namibia and the Hydrogen Commissioner, the country has been making the case for investments at the 2021 Virtual SDG Investment Fair on 14 – 15 December in New York. The SDG Investment Fair, connects investors with sustainable development projects in developing countries. Participating countries use this platform to present their projects as investors scout for lucrative investment opportunities that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Fair draws investors of all sizes seeking investment ready projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions. In September 2021, the Fair was held virtually with Pakistan, Rwanda, and Dominican Republic showcasing their sustainable development projects in manufacturing, infrastructure, and agri-business. Namibia took the stage at the December 2021 Fair alongside Ukraine, tapping into virtual spaces for networking, pitches of projects, investor exchanges, knowledge sharing, and informational sessions. It featured: 1) Informational sessions on available resources on SDG investments from within the UN ecosystem; 2) Presentations of investment opportunities in SDG projects in Namibia and Ukraine; 3) Direct interaction between countries and investors. Prioritizing a portfolio of 5 complementary projects and infrastructure in the Southern Region of Namibia that maximises the opportunity presented by Green Hydrogen and Ammonia for the country, under the Southern Corridor Development Initiative (SCDI), Namibia’s presentation at the Fair featured: 1) H2 Global Project; 2) 3100ha of Green Farms; 3) 220MW Energy Portfolio; 4) Green Sandverhaar Rail; 5) Green Ludertiz Port. The proposed financing for the projects includes: 1)  A Central Security Deposit; 2) the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF); 3) Sustainable, Green and Social Bonds; and 4) Multi-Listing on various stock exchanges. H.E. Ambassador Neville Gertze, Permanent Representative of Namibia to the UN in New York expressed that “Like many other countries, Namibia was and remains affected negatively by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, economic recovery is a priority of the Namibian Government. Our participation in this meeting is thus indeed part of the broader commitment to ensure that the 2030 Agenda is implemented, regardless of the pandemic in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and thereby improving the quality of lives of the Namibian people along with the rest of the world. …The Namibian economy is, among others, primarily supported by the mining, energy, agricultural, fishing and tourism sectors. These sectors offer excellent opportunities worth exploring by both local and foreign investors…I wish to assure all potential investors that Namibia’s investment regulatory environment is favourable to all investors. All investments and related issues are dealt with in accordance with the law. I invite you to visit us and see for yourselves. As you know, seeing is believing. The Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations stands ready to support you in your endeavors, including facilitating meetings if more presentations and or clarifications on the projects will be needed.”   H.E. Mr. Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia noted that: “Namibia’s classification as an upper-middle income country, alongside the fiscal pressures exacerbated by COVID-19, pose challenges for the country to mobilize affordable development finance. Yet, this mask the 3 persistent triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality (particularly among women and youth), that are holding back the country’s economic transformation, and are a binding constrain to the achievement of the SDGs, by 2030... The priority for Namibia to crowd-in all sources of development finance, particularly domestic and international private business and finance is not only an imperative, but a necessity…Unlocking the stock and flow of development finance is highly influenced by the enabling environment: The Government, the private sector, and the UN are collaborating towards the achievement of the SDGs…leveraging innovative and blended finance.” Among investors on Namibia’s panel included 1) Mr. Titus Nampala - Head of Africa Financial Institutions Group & Sovereigns, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB); 2) Ms. Joan Feldbaum Vidra - Managing Director, Sovereign Group, KBRA; 3) Mr. Gligor Tashkovich - Former Minister of Investment, North Macedonia; 4) Mr. Holger Muent - Director, Corporate Debt Portfolio, EBRD. Diplomatic representation during the presentation included from Armenia, Canada, EU, Germany, India, Indonesia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, USA, the African World Heritage Fund, FAST, Foundation, and GIZ. The presentation by Mr. Mnyupe is a continuation of collaborative efforts by the Government, private sector, academia, civil society, and the United Nations towards the implementation of Namibia’s winning proposal entitled “Strengthening Namibia’s Financing Architecture for Enhanced Quality & Scale of Financing for SDGs” at the UNSDG Fund Secretariat, and more importantly of the Government-led Harambee Prosperity Plan II (HPP II). Following this maiden presentation, the United Nations System will continue to support the Government of Namibia in mobilizing resources, through technical support, analysis, advisory, facilitating, and convening, towards 2030.   For additional information, contact: Mr. Felix Tughuyendere, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Namibia to the UN in New York (ftughuyendere@yahoo.com) Ms. Cheroline Ripunda, Special Assistant, Office of the President, Government of the Republic of Namibia (ckripunda@gmail.com) Mr. Barry Kolodkin, Interregional Adviser for SDG Investment, UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Financing for Sustainable Development Office (barry.kolodkin@un.org) Ms. Eunice Ajambo, Economist & Development Coordination Officer, UN Namibia (ajambo@un.org)  

Alongside the rest of the world, UN Namibia commemorated Human Rights Day with an assortment of artistic performances, exhibitions and panel discussions that took place on the 8th and 9th  of December 2021. In partnership with the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC), the Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Namibia, Café Prestige and the Government of Namibia, these events highlighted article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under the theme “Equality – Reducing inequalities advancing human rights.”  Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia, noted that in celebrating Human Rights Day, we must remind ourselves how the COVID-19 crisis exacerbates the vulnerability of the least protected and most marginalized in our societies. “The ongoing crisis associated with the pandemic has put human rights and other international legal protections under extra pressure, said Pang. The UNRC also added that “bringing human rights home is at the core of the UN’s mission to integrate Human rights and make it a reality in the daily life of every single person in the world and to further integrate human rights into our socio-economic response to the crisis”. While COVID-19 continues to take centre stage in global relevance, addressing gender-based violence - commonly referred to as the “secret’’ pandemic -  still remains an important concern for Namibia. In her remarks at the opening ceremony, Advocate Dollien //Gowases from the Office of the Prosecutor General made it clear that GBV undermines the role that women play in society.   “Without women, what would life look like? Would there be life? Or thriving nations and civilizations? It sounds and is impossible. And that’s the impact GBV has had on Namibia as a developing nation”, said //Gowases. Activists, experts and government officials tackled multiple topics during the panel discussions including sexual reproductive rights, women’s economic empowerment and male engagement in GBV with seasoned Namibian journalist, Jemima Beukes moderating all discussions. Several contributions came from the audience, which comprised of members from the international community, government and activist groups and the public. During the two-day event a photographic exhibition chronicling the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a poster exhibition by the United Nations Democracy Institute titled “Gender Equality Now!” were unveiled. Curated by the FNCC team, the poster exhibition showcased thought provoking artwork to spark conversations on Human Rights and Gender Equality. RMB Namibia unveiled a replica of the “Fearless Thinker” statue.  Commissioned by RMB and created by artist Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe it is an Afro-centric version of the “Fearless Girl” statue located in Wall Street, New York and speaks to values of individuality, courage and strength, particularly among African women and girls. RMB Namibia CEO Phillip Chapman and colleague, Odille Wellman unveiled the statue, with Chapman urging that the statue, “serve as a constant reminder to have courage, stay curious and relentlessly question the status quo”. “Coupled with a responsible and collaborative mind set, fearless thinking can unlock the collective wisdom to support society to find opportunity in adversity”, said Chapman. During the two days Namibian artists such as Patrick Star, Emvee K and Alexandria treated audiences to several performances. Renowned pianist Harry Rheeder, who is visually impaired, stole the show with an unforgettable piano concert; concluding the two days of advocating for inclusivity and the equality of all people to achieve an equitable society. The UN approach to achieving equality is set out in the document, “Shared Framework on Leaving No One Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Heart of Sustainable Development”. This includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in society, including women and girls, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, LGBTI people, migrants and people with disabilities, among others. It ultimately aims to achieve equality in dignity and rights for all supporting opportunities and outcomes for fairer and inclusive societies.  

The United Nations Namibia in partnership with Agra, Nedbank Namibia, Future Media Namibia and Auas Valley Shopping Mall excitedly launched the Agra Nedbank GROW campaign on 27 November 2021. At the heart of the campaign is a competition that focuses on developing entrepreneurial potential and business skills in Namibia, giving smaller business owners the platform and opportunity to develop their skillset and take their businesses further. At the launch, Sen Pang, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Namibia noted that “by giving support to small businesses to make a profit, they expand their influence and make greater contributions to the economic and social development of the country to promote the well-being and welfare of the people.” Taking place at Auas Valley Shopping Mall, the launch also involved a Market promoting the slogan, “Buy Local, or Bye-Bye Local”. The frank slogan emphasises the urgency of Namibians – on all levels - to adequately support local or see the untimely demise of the local economy. “Being the largest agricultural retailer out there, the better small businesses do, the better agriculture and everyone else does. We are committed to the Namibian people as a whole and we would love nothing than to see amazing success stories emerge from the GROW campaign”, said Pieter Stoman, Agra Brand and Communication Manager. The GROW campaign’s prizes include workshops and other capacity building programs, dependent on the needs of the finalist. Entries for the competition are open from 29 November 2021 until 31 March 2022 after which semi-finalists will be selected around mid-April 2022. For more information on the competition requirements and/or terms and conditions see the Agra Nedbank Grow Campaign Information Pack and enter the competition HERE