Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday has called for strong multilateral cooperation between Namibia and Botswana in various social and economic sectors. ‘We are living in an age where multilateral cooperation is being redefined and challenged, it is therefore important to defend and uphold the principles of multilateralism and cooperation in international law, including humanitarian law and human rights,’ Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks during the second session of the Namibia and Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) which started on 06 October 2025 and concluded on Friday, at State House. Nandi-Ndaitwah further highlighted that the conclusion comes after a week of intensive negotiations aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in key areas such as enhancing political and diplomatic channels, developing a more robust legal framework, governing the relationship, and formulating joint economic growth strategies.

In addition, the president emphasized that the five-day session served not only for bilateral strengthening but also as a key component in achieving the needs of the citizens of the two countries. ‘This wide-ranging scope of our bilateral partnership not only highlights the significant potential we hold but also emphasizes our dedication to achieving exceptional results that will directly benefit our citizens,’ Nandi-Ndaitwah added.

Botswana President, Advocate Duma Boko on his part highlighted that there is a need to avoid competition between the two countries and urged for collaboration between Namibia and Botswana, citing that the two countries share similar resources needed for economic growth. ‘We must avoid unnecessary competition, Namibia is a beef-producing country, Botswana is a beef-producing country. There is no need for any competition between these two countries, there is a need for collaboration, for coming together, for coalescing around common goals, visions and outcomes,’ Boko said.

Boko further advocated for the need to translate theory into practice amongst governments to achieve and upgrade the living standard of the society. ‘The sermons that [we] preach must now be translated into reality, they must be enacted in the minds of the people on the downside of the society, those in the dumps catching hell, and translate into something meaningful for them, to transform their lives,’ added Boko.