The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) says there is a need to unlock a grant investment model that can sustain environmental projects for communities beyond their funding cycle. 

Benedict Libanda said this during an information-sharing session at the Government Information Centre.

Libanda says at least 35% to 40% of the environmentally sustainable projects for communities funded by the EIF face sustainability challenges. 

Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Executive Director Teofilus Nghitila says they are working on making Namibia attractive again for international conferences and other meetings.

Nghitila made these remarks at the ministry's planning session for their quarter review and compilation of the Annual Management Plan for 2024–2025.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism still needs to revive the tourism sector despite encouraging statistics from the sector.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, said the water reuse method is an approach that can be taken in Kunene to address the water shortage in the region.

Schlettwein said this at the joint commemoration of World Wetlands Day and World Water Day in Opuwo.

Wetlands are ecosystems that contain water permanently or seasonally.

World Wetlands Day 2024 calls for attention to the interconnectedness between wetlands and various aspects of human existence.

As the tourism sector steadily picks up and recovers from post-COVID-19 challenges, Environment, Tourism, and Forestry Minister Pohamba Shifeta says his ministry will support initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and employment creation.

Shifeta shared these remarks while addressing the graduation of tour guides at Hobatere in the Kunene Region.

Namibia has recognised the benefits of a safe and healthy working environment to enhance productivity and drive economic growth and social stability.

Hence, the Ministry of Labour, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation, has embarked on a three-day consultative workshop to develop the National Employee Wellness Code of Conduct.

The code aims at eradicating mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in the workplace.

Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti says Dundee Precious Metal's general waste management facility is in line with government standards and was approved by Cabinet. Mufeti was speaking at the inauguration of the facility at Tsumeb in the Oshikoto Region.

Namibia plans to ban the use of single-use plastic bags to protect the environment.

The Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister, Pohamba Shifeta, said this during his ministerial statement in the National Assembly.

Shifeta argues there is nothing beneficial about single-use plastics, but they are a problem for the environment.

He explained that smarter choices need to be made when buying and selling plastic products.

Shifeta stressed that plastic waste stays on the planet for much longer than anyone can imagine, and that is just how bad it is.

UNDP Economic Advisor in Namibia, Wilmot Reeves, expressed a serious concern with the dangers posed by plastic waste materials to the environment worldwide.

Speaking at an occasion to mark World Environment Day organised by the City of Windhoek today (Friday), Reeves bemoaned the fact that millions of plastics are produced globally for use in many purposes but then later end up as waste.

He urged various stakeholders to play their role in preserving the environment for current and future generations.

Young people are underrepresented in the tour guide subsector nationwide.

A survey by the Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Ministry (MEFT) indicates that out of 500 registered tour guides, 17% are youth between the ages of 18 and 34.

MEFT carried out a survey to help register and accredit all tour guides in Namibia.

One of the findings indicated that the youth are finding it difficult to take up job opportunities in the tour guide subsector.

The Namibia Tourism Expo for 2023 was launched in Windhoek today (Friday).

The Tourism Expo aims to showcase the country's diverse tourism activities, and it will be held on April 26–28, at the Windhoek Country Club. 

At the event, Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta called for stakeholder participation to ensure the successful holding of the Expo.

Shifeta appealed to exhibitors to diversify their products to attract a wide range of visitors.