As 2025 draws to a close, world leaders are using their New Year's addresses to set the tone for the year ahead.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state has drawn sharp reactions from the international community, with Somalia condemning the move as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Kristofine Naunyango as Advisor to the Minister of Works and Transport and Manager of the Public Asset Management Agency, an entity under the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The appointment, which takes effect on 1 January 2026, is for a 5-year term.

The International University of Management (IUM) and Meerkat Learning have partnered to improve basic learning outcomes by integrating the Teaching at the Right Level initiative into pre-service teacher training programmes.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to women, saying that as Namibia marks Women’s Day, “we must begin by recognising the historic role that Namibian women played in the liberation struggle.”

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Cabinet ministers to assess the progress of capital projects they encounter during their festive break.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has cautioned against resisting change and holding on to outdated ways of doing things, as Cabinet prepares to deliberate on the recommendations from the 2025 Cabinet Retreat.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasised that merging the trade function with international relations was a deliberate move to ensure Namibia fully leverages economic diplomacy through its foreign policy.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been named the 2025 African Political Leader of the Year by the UK-based African Leadership Magazine.

She was nominated in the category alongside Botswana's Duma Boko, Jose Neves of Cabo Verde and President Patrice Talon of Benin.

Namibia and Norway are strengthening cooperation on several fronts, including their joint work on the High-Level Panel for the Sustainable Ocean Economy, known as the Ocean Panel.

Norwegian Embassy Counsellor Ørnulf Strøm paid a courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House.