Swakopmund: Erongo Region Governor Nathalia /Goagoses has called for communication to be recognised as a catalyst for good governance, accountability, and sustainable development. Welcoming delegates at the opening of the second Effective Communicators Conference (ECC) 2026 in Swakopmund, /Goagoses emphasized the conference's role in providing a platform for communication professionals, policymakers, and development partners to enhance collaboration and explore innovative public communication approaches.
According to Namibia Press Agency, /Goagoses highlighted that the conference theme, 'Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,' signifies the necessity for communication systems to adapt alongside technological and societal changes. She noted the ongoing efforts in the Erongo region to expand access to essential services, bolster food security initiatives, and foster economic opportunities. The region is positioning itself as an innovation hub through investments in green hydrogen, renewable energy, mining technology, and digital connectivity.
The governor further elaborated on the strategic coastal location's role in creating new opportunities for investment, skills development, and youth employment through advancements in logistics and trade.
Xinhua News Agency Editor in Chief Yang Dingdu also addressed the conference, discussing the longstanding media cooperation between China and Namibia, which dates back to Namibia's liberation struggle. Xinhua's Windhoek bureau was established in 1989, a year before Namibia's independence, and a news exchange agreement was signed with the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) in 2003, facilitating closer collaboration.
Yang described the conference as crucial for strengthening media cooperation among Global South countries amid shifts in the international communication landscape. He advocated for media organisations to deepen cooperation through journalist exchanges, joint reporting, content sharing, and professional training, while embracing technologies like artificial intelligence to enhance news production and international communication.
Yang proposed four strategies to bolster China-Namibia media cooperation, including joint storytelling of development narratives, expanding international communication from a Global South viewpoint, promoting technology-driven media development, and strengthening ties through the Global South Media and Think Tank Cooperation and Communication Partnership Network. He reaffirmed Xinhua's commitment to expanding practical cooperation with African media, including Nampa, via news exchanges, professional training, and multilateral platforms to promote China-Africa cooperation and reinforce media partnerships.
The conference continues in Swakopmund with discussions on innovation, digital transformation, and the future of strategic communication in Africa.