Namibia at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

The event took place at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) with the Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Hon. Obeth Kandjoze, leading the country’s delegation. Namibia had presented the first one in 2018. 

The High-Level Political Forum is the core United Nations platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Considering the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the SDGs, this years HLPF discussed in depth, Sustainable Development Goals 1 on no poverty, 2 on zero hunger, 3 on good health and well-being, 8 on decent work and economic growth, 10 on reduced inequalities, 12 on responsible consumption and production, 13 on climate action, 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 on partnerships. 

The Voluntary Nation Review (VNR) is, voluntary country-led and country-driven inclusive review of progress in the achievement of the SDGs, at the national and sub-national levels.

For the first time, Namibia’s VNR Report reported on all the 17 SDGs, including strengthened reporting on SDG 12.

In his Ministerial Statement presenting the VNR, Hon. Kandjoze stated that “the focus of Namibia’s reporting is premised on the three SDGs dimensions - namely Economic, Social and Environmental - which are, themselves, integrated in the pillars of the National Development Plan-5.”

Hon. Kandjoze, making history also included in his delegation three representatives, from Namibia’s Children’s Parliament, a Major Group and Stakeholder (MGoS), in the SDGs.

Namibia was also represented in a number of events with the participation of Senior Government Officials including:

1. Hon. Kandjoze at the APRM-UNDP-UNECO High-Level Side Event on ‘’Forging resilient public institutions in Africa in the time of COVID-19 SDGs in focus: (SDG 16 &3)’’, on 15 July.
2. Hon. Peter Katjavivi at the UNICEF consultation on children’s participation and the Child Friendly VNR with the Children’s Parliament, on 9 July.
3. Hon. Kalumbi Shangula at the WHO Virtual Side-Event on "The Economy of Wellbeing as a lens to accelerate the achievement of the Agenda2030", on 8 July. 
4. Hon. Emma Theofelus at the UNFPA High-Level Dialogue on “Intergenerational Action for Bodily Autonomy - Accelerating SDG3” on 8 July.  

In his remarks at the Opening of the Ministerial Segment of the HLPF, the UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres commended the 42 countries that presented their VNRs this year, despite challenging circumstances. He also committed the entire UN family at the disposal of every developing country, as a steadfast partner on the ground, in an integrated manner.

Mr. Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator (RC) at UN Namibia, congratulated the Government and UN Teams that contributed to the process, appreciating their consistent commitment, expertise, and hard work during a process that commenced at the beginning of 2020.

UN Agencies including , FAO, ILO, IOM, UNAIDS, UNDESA, UNDP, UNECA, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, WFP, WHO been a core part of contributions both substantive and logistical that One UN brought to the fore, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO).

Mr. Pang, emphasized the strength of Delivering as One UN to support the Government and stakeholders, stating “ I will look to you in the implementation of the recommendations of the VNR Report, of the SDGs during this Decade of Action, and as we build a strong, sustainable and inclusive recovery from COVID-19.”

This is especially so as Namibia is undertaking review of the country’s Vision 2030 and is developing the National Development Plan (NPD) 6, which hopefully, will be aligned with the SDGs, as is the case with the NDP 5. 

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Namibia’s 2021 VNR Report is available at; https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/279462021_VNR_Report_Namibia.pdf

For Additional Information Contact: 

1. Mr. Ned Sibeya, Deputy Chief National Development Advisor—NPC (NSibeya@npc.gov.na) 
2. Mr. Fred Soltau, Senior Sustainable Development Officer—UNDESA (soltau@un.org)
3. Ms. Eunice Ajambo, Economist & Development Coordination Officer—UN Namibia (ajambo@un.org)