The Minister of International Relations and Trade says Namibia is placing particular focus on exploring cooperation in nuclear energy with its bilateral partners.
Selma Ashipala-Musavyi addressed the diplomatic corps, highlighting the country's development priorities, including energy security and others.
Ambassador Ashipala-Musavyi says the decision to add nuclear energy to its energy mix is part of the country's infrastructural development and in line with the Swapo Party Manifesto.
“Such partnerships are expected to encompass multiple dimensions of nuclear cooperation, including nuclear power plant development, training programmes for capacity building, joint research initiatives on advanced nuclear fuels, and investment in specialised mining and processing infrastructure. This also represents a key component of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which prioritises domestic processing capabilities of mineral resources, technology transfer and industrial diversification,” she explained.
Ashipala-Musavyi highlights that the eighth administration has placed living standards and sustained prosperity at the centre of government priorities.
Areas such as agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, quality education and health, creative industries and others have been identified to drive growth.
“Increasingly and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, we are all placing the welfare of our people at the centre of our work by optimising economic diplomacy. Namibia is no different, and this in most part informed the decision of Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, to merge the portfolios of International Relations, Trade and Investment. This was also to ensure better coordinated synergies in the pursuit of our economic diplomacy, while at the same time promoting regional and continental economic integration and enhancing opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
Ashipala-Musavyi also announces that the Ministry will introduce regional diplomatic outreach with the aim of exploring the cultural diversity and the economic competitiveness of each region.
The diplomatic corps also propose regular group consultations, labelling the priorities under NDP6 as mutually beneficial for Namibia and their respective countries.
The diplomatic briefing was the first since Minister Ashipala-Musavyi was appointed into the portfolio in March this year.