Namibia has identified the agricultural sector as a key priority for economic diplomacy in an effort to ensure food security, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has said.
Speaking at the end of the year briefing for the diplomatic corps here Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said agriculture has been identified as a key economic sector Namibia should focus on in order for it to attract investors to ensure food security.
“For the African continent, among others, the COVID-19 pandemic reaffirmed the importance of a certain level of self-reliance, be it in the area of services, food, transportation, energy, manufacturing and one of Namibia’s priorities is to ensure food security,” she said.
Agriculture, she added, will remain a focus for Namibia’s economic recovery agenda alongside its main enablers, the energy and water sectors.
There is a need to strengthen economic ties between Namibia and the private sectors of its counterpart countries who are partners in the realisation of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Nandi-Ndaitwah further noted.
The minister said Namibia continues to advocate for the peaceful resolution of conflicts between nations through negotiations, stressing that conflict will lead to the destruction of the planet.
“Our continued call is for the immediate implementation of relevant UN resolutions on addressing the situation in Western Sahara and Palestine for self-determination to be achieved in those countries,” she noted.
Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded that it is important for both nations to remain committed to the cause of identifying common interests with Namibia in order to ensure the realisation of common responsibility.
At the same occasion, the Head of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, Anastas Wa-Kimbo commended Namibia for its peace and serenity, saying it is key to development.
“The diplomatic corps enjoys Namibia’s conducive environment and commends the security of the Namibian Police Force, which is part of the diplomatic corps,” Wa-Kimbo stated.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
