President Hage Geingob said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has brought much promise to the development of industries that will create jobs and grow economies on the African continent.

This will greatly benefit cooperation at the level of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) as 70 per cent of its members are from the African continent.

Geingob made the remarks while speaking on behalf of the 19 Observer Member States associated with the CPLP during the 13th Conference of Heads of States and Governments of the CPLP held on Saturday in Luanda, Angola on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the CPLP organisation.

During his statement, Geingob congratulated Angola for hosting the summit stating that even though Namibia may have chosen English as a national language and Angola and some other sister countries chose Portuguese, as a neighbouring country, Namibia and Angola are bound by blood, lineage and struggle.

“As Observer States, we join hands with CPLP members in order to strengthen our local, regional and global governance architecture. The value of international cooperation and multilateralism that underpin the CPLP is fundamental for the promotion and strengthening of peace and security and socio-economic development,” Geingob said.

He went on to emphasise the importance of unity amongst nations saying it is the unity that will bring about a world free from poverty and it is unity that will guarantee peace and security as well as deliver the promise of economic development and prosperity.

“We are honoured to unite with our brothers and sisters of the CPLP member states in pursuit of a better world,” he said.

The president further remarked on the draft Agreement on Mobility Among CPLP signed by the ministers of international relations and foreign affairs in the presence of the Heads of State and government at the summit, saying it is an important step in making sure that borders remain open to strengthen and promote business and economic relations in a time of the COVID-19 pandemic towards sustainable development.

Source: Namibia Press Agency