UNESCO's Executive Board is meeting at its headquarters in Paris, the capital of France.

During the presentation of its national statement at the board meeting, Namibia welcomed a proposal in UNESCO's Draft Programme and Budget for 2024–2025 that aims to address the physical and mental health of young people.

Namibia is an Executive Board member and is represented by its Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Albertus Aochamub. 

Presenting Namibia's national statement, Aochamub welcomed the Draft Programme and Budget for 2024–2025.

He stated that an initiative under the draft programme, which is based on Fit for Life, will have a positive impact on the lives of the youth.

"Today's youth are facing unprecedented challenges that are impacting their physical and mental health, as well as their employment prospects. With over 1.2 billion young people worldwide affected by major crises, it is imperative that we take action to support them."

Namibia also supports the call for one percent funding from UNESCO's regular budget for the Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission to enable it to fulfil its mandate.

"We wish to underscore that the threats posed by rising sea levels are particularly severe in developing countries and especially in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The proposed increase in resources is in recognition of this stark reality that the world faces. Namibia, therefore, applauds the science sector for all the good work done so far."

Rounding up his five-minute statement at the Executive Board meeting in Paris, Aochamub also pointed out that the question of the safety of journalists remains a major concern with the reported incidences of the killing of journalists.

"We, therefore, wish to call on the Secretariat to fast-track the implementation of the key recommendations of the 10th-anniversary consultation process on the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity."

The Executive Board meeting ends next Wednesday.