Long-serving diplomat Penda Naanda has been appointed as Namibia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, effective immediately.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Naanda, who takes over from Ambassador Neville Gertze. 

Ambassador Naanda served as the Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation until his appointment to the New York-based UN. 

He previously held positions representing Namibia internationally, including serving as First Secretary at the High Commission in South Africa, as well as in the same position in Austria and as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN. 

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, in a statement, said she was confident that Ambassador Naanda would advance the country's diplomatic priorities in his new responsibilities.