UN DAY MARKS 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE SDGS' IN NAMIBIA

Windhoek, Namibia - The United Nations Day celebration in Namibia marked a moment of reflection on the enduring partnership between Namibia and the United Nations, dating back to the early days of Namibia's quest for independence in the late 20th century. Held in the capital city of Windhoek, the event was graced by government officials, civil society organizations, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. It shed light on the substantial strides realized in collaboration with the United Nations since the onset of Namibia's journey towards independence, particularly emphasizing the pivotal role the UN played in supervising Namibia's transition to independence in 1990 following the adoption of Resolution 435 by the UN Security Council.

United Nations Day, commemorated on October 24, marks the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, symbolizing the organization's birth. This day not only celebrates the achievements of the United Nations but also emphasizes the enduring hope it symbolizes for a better world, particularly resonating with Namibia's historical journey with the UN. This year's celebration theme was 'Journey Through the SDGs,' showcased through an exhibition, where all UN agencies participated, reflecting the collaborative spirit towards sustainable development while honoring the long-standing relationship between Namibia and the UN.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Hopolang Phororo, reminisced on the Namibia-UN alliance since 1946 when Namibians sought UN aid for independence, marking strides towards global peace and human rights. She highlighted the daunting challenge of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with only 15% of targets on track. Despite progress in poverty reduction and gender equality, more effort is needed. She mentioned the upcoming Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025-2029) and the 2024 Summit of the Future, co-hosted by Namibia and Germany, as steps towards addressing global inequalities and advancing the SDGs.

The Director of Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, spoke on the historical ties between Namibia and the UN, touching on crucial milestones like Resolution 435 and the UNTAG mission. He highlighted the pivotal role of the late Martti Ahtisaari, who recently passed away on October 16, 2023, in leading the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) mission that was instrumental in supervising the country's transition to independence following the adoption of Resolution 435 by the UN Security Council. The event honored the late Martti Ahtisaari with a moment of silence.

Ambassador Shaanika spoke from the heart on the importance of empathy, urging individuals to put themselves in the shoes of those who are suffering. He stressed that every human has a dream and aspiration to live a better life and called for change to make these aspirations a reality. Reflecting on the broader impact of our actions, Shaanika also urged adults and elders to contemplate the world they are shaping for their children to inherit, reinforcing the call for collective action toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

Partners are committed to reinforcing the collaborative spirit between the government, civil society, and UN agencies to address the nation's challenges. The event highlighted both the enduring partnership and the joint journey ahead, reiterating the vision of leaving no one behind as aligned with the principles of the United Nations.