||Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze has called for climate policies that respond to the region's challenges and unlock opportunities for sustainable development.

He made this call during a recent stakeholder engagement on the review of the Namibia Climate Change Policy and the update on the Third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) in Keetmanshoop.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) hosted a two-day meeting with the regional stakeholders which forms part of the nationwide consultation process being conducted across the region to gather local feedback on the review of the 2011 National Policy and update on the 3rd NDCs 3.0 which aims to strengthen Namibia's response to climate change by aligning national efforts with the new climate challenges, development goals and the country's commitments under the Paris Agreements.

Governor Gertze emphasised that the updated policy must reflect the real challenges people face in the region, such as prolonged droughts, extreme heat, water shortages, and land degradation.

"Therefore it is crucial that we work together government, traditional authorities , the private sector, academia, and local communities to co-create solutions that are both practical and sustainable, to achieve this , we must look directly at our unique regional adaption and mitigation potentials."

Gertze went on to say that the review also presents an opportunity to unlock the region's potential through climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy and green hydrogen projects that can support economic growth while preserving the environment.

"On the mitigation front, the ||Kharas region is not just participating in the green transition; we are positioned to lead the entire African continent. We see this unmatched potential in the pioneering Hyphen Green Hydrogen project near Lüderitz, a global blueprint for carbon mitigation and clean energy export."

The Governor further encouraged traditional leaders, local authorities, government institutions, the private sector and community members to actively participate in the discussion to ensure the reviewed policy is practical, inclusive and responsive to the local needs.

The engagement ends today.