United Nations and Namibia Government Unveil Comprehensive Roadmap to Tackle Poverty and Unemployment

The United Nations and the Government of the Republic of Namibia have held a National Workshop of the Global Accelerator on Jobs, Social Protection and Just Transitions to identify policy options for employment creation and breaking the cycle of poverty, including income inequality, in Namibia. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation and the Ministry of Finance, the workshop gathered stakeholders from various sectors, including government ministries, labor unions, civil society, and the private sector. The outcome document, set to be submitted at the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in September, outlines a comprehensive national employment policy, employment programmes for youth, social protection, and formalization of the economy. Key sectors vital for Namibia's economic and social growth include agriculture and fisheries, tourism, mining, and green energy.

Ms. Louise Shixwameni, Deputy Executive Director for Public Enterprises at the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise, emphasized the importance of aggressive investment in agriculture, coupled with ensuring decent wages, as having the potential to create thousands of sustainable jobs and lift people out of poverty. Ms. Gift Malunga, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia, emphasized the ultimate objective of assisting the government in implementing employment-creation strategies, particularly for the majority of young people and women. Mr. Ottniel Podewiltz, Acting Executive Director of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (AED MLIREC), challenged conventional macro-economic approaches, stating that the link between GDP growth and employment creation is not automatic.

The roadmap of the process outlines specific priority actions and expected outcomes, such as increased investment in sectors creating decent jobs, improved access to social protection for vulnerable groups, alignment of budgeting and investments with social protection and employment objectives, and strengthened coordination for employment creation. The collaboration between the UN and the Namibian government represents a transformative approach to governance and social welfare, showcasing the potential of thoughtful policy, international collaboration, and a commitment to improving citizens' lives.