Namibia Pursues Enhanced Climate Initiatives with UAE Partnership

By: Dwight Links Vice-President Lucia Witbooi has expressed that Namibia is seeking to work more with the United Arab Emirates on climate-based projects. “Namibia therefore seeks to deepen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in the development of sustainable energy and water infrastructure, as well as market access, positioning Namibia as a gateway to the Middle East and beyond,” Witbooi said. Witbooi made these remarks at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week’s Global South Utilities Forum last week. Namibia is a country that regularly responds to various naturally induced challenges, which dictates solution-based approaches for the country. “Given the arid conditions of our country and the increasing pressures of drought and water stress, food security is a climate, economic, and social priority for Namibia. We have therefore chosen to lead through action, demonstrating that climate constraints can be transformed into competitive advantages through innovation and smart investment,” stated Witbooi on the established policies the country has in place. Contained in Namibia’s last update of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of 2023 at the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), the nation indicated that it has a plan for the 2021 to 2030 phase. Namibia has, however, to monitor and generate data that updates its NDC regularly. “Namibia’s territory extends over some 825,000 square km for a widely dispersed population of nearly 3 million, which exacerbates development by impeding adaptation and rapid interventions to reduce risks and damage, inclusive of loss of lives, stemming from extreme weather events,” the NDC reads. Additionally, the country is a nation that is greatly dependent on natural resources like land, water, and rainfall, and others like timber and minerals, to generate economic activity for its population size. The NDC report echoes this, making it highly vulnerable to climate change. Its development is already facing the brunt of climate change, with persistent droughts, frequent floods, and more frequent epidemics negatively affecting the economy. “As part of our Green Energy Transition, Namibia is investing in various flagship initiatives, including Green Hydrogen and advancing climate-smart agriculture,” Witbooi explained. These initiatives, according to her, demonstrate how technology, water efficiency, and sustainable farming can strengthen food systems, create jobs and export opportunities, while supporting livelihoods in vulnerable communities. UNCERTAINTY REIGNS Vice-President Witbooi indicated that it is a very challenging period in the global economy, which has been lauded as being the platform for mutual cooperation in tackling the climate goals, SDGs and other related global issues together, and is now under great strain. “We convene at a critical moment in human history. Across the world, we are confronted by interconnected and compounding challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, energy poverty, and widening social and economic inequalities. These challenges remind us that our futures are deeply linked, and that collective action is no longer optional; it is imperative,” Witbooi added. She stated that sustainability is the only viable pathway to shared prosperity and long-term stability, and meeting the scale of today’s challenges demands global solidarity, accessible and innovative financing, accelerated technology transfer, and authentic partnerships among governments, the private sector, academia, and development partners. Using Namibia as an example, the main aim has been to show how the country uses its limited resources and opportunities in light of challenges to develop responses. “[For us] sustainability is not an abstract concept; it is a development trajectory that is firmly anchored in inclusivity, resilience, and environmental stewardship. We remain committed to regional and international sustainable development frameworks, including the Pact of the Future and our National Development Plans, which are designed to advance sustainable and inclusive growth,” indicated the Vice-President.