Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions in Namibia

The Government of the Republic of Namibia, with the support of the United Nations System convened a two-day multistakeholders National Consultative and Prioritization Workshop on the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. The workshop, held on 25-26 July 2023, gathered key stakeholders, including government officials, UN agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industries, workers representatives, civil society organizations, and media personnel.

Under the leadership of H.E President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, Namibia expressed its keen interest in becoming one of the official pathfinder countries of the Global Accelerator initiative; an ambitious and transformative effort spearheaded by the United Nations Secretary-General. The workshop aimed to explore innovative strategies to combat the pressing challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in the country through the implementation of an integrated strategy of employment, social protection, and just transitions policies with strong and sustainable economic and social returns.

Addressing the attendees, Ms. Hopolang Phororo, the UN Resident Coordinator, expressed her sincere gratitude to all participants for their valuable presence and engagement. She underscored the urgency of addressing the financing gaps and the challenges posed by COVID-19 and geopolitical conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, which have hindered progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The Global Accelerator comes at a critical time, responding to multiple crises that demand swift and coordinated action," remarked Ms. Phororo. "Through strategic investments in sectors such as green, care, digital, and creative economies, we aim to create quality jobs with social protection and achieve just transitions for all."

During the workshop, participants delved into the three pillars of the Global Accelerator initiative - financing, policy integration, and multilateral cooperation - seeking ways to strengthen coordination and coherence among development actors and streamline project implementation. The workshop emphasized the importance of aligning international financial resources with domestic resource mobilization efforts to establish universal and comprehensive social protection systems and increase the creation of decent work opportunities.

Ms. Wilhencia Uiras, Executive Director of the National Planning Commission, underscored the significance of the Global Accelerator in addressing Namibia's unique challenges. "Our nation faces unprecedented levels of unemployment, particularly among youth, women, and vulnerable groups. With the Global Accelerator, we aim to leverage emerging sources of revenue and enhance traditional sectors like agriculture to bring about sustainable development," said Ms. Uiras.

The workshop served as a pivotal platform to consolidate the identification of concrete actions and the co-creation of integrated strategies and policies for the Global Accelerator's successful implementation in Namibia. The government, in partnership with the UN and other development partners, are  committed to developing a national Global Accelerator Roadmap by September 2023, aligning it with the Vision 2030 and the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6) of Namibia.

This Roadmap is to explain the “additionalities” brought about by the Accelerator. It should identify relevant entry points for the country including the required strengthening of policies, untapped sustainable job growth potential, the expansion of social protection coverage, and key sectors of the economy where  integrated policies and financing approaches would be relevant. Presenting the Roadmap, at the 2023 SDGs Summit in New York, Namibia will be able to build momentum for its development priorities by rallying relevant actors, mobilizing further leadership and investment to bring transformative progress to scale between now and 2030.

As the workshop concluded, the participants applauded the Global Accelerator's focus on inclusivity and sustainability. The event showcased Namibia's determination to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, addressing the root causes of social and economic challenges and paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous, and sustainable future in participatory and coordinated manner.

For additional Information, please contact:

Ms. Eunice Ajambo

Economist, UN Namibia

ajambo@un.org

Ms. Josée-Anne Larue

Technical Specialist, Employment, ILO

larue@ilo.org