Nandi-Ndaitwah advances Namibia’s development agenda at UNGA

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations and the global financial system, saying international institutions must become more representative, inclusive and responsive to the needs of developing countries.

Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Nandi-Ndaitwah said declining confidence in the international system, persistent conflicts and humanitarian crises highlight the need to restore trust in multilateral cooperation.

Speaking under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”, she reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, dialogue and international cooperation. The president also called for urgent reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, with equitable representation in its decision-making processes.

She said Africa’s longstanding demand for greater representation, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration and reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future, could no longer be delayed. Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that prolonged negotiations and stalemates over reform risk further eroding confidence in the United Nations.

Meanwhile, outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the urgent reform of the Security Council, saying its current structure fails to reflect the realities of the modern world. He said the council, established in the aftermath of the Second World War, has not kept pace with global changes, particularly in its representation of Africa. “Today, Africa still has no permanent representation on the council. A 21st-century Security Council without permanent African seats is unjust and indefensible. This must change,” he said.

  • Namibian Presidency

Economic governance

The president said reform of the international financial architecture was critical to creating a more equitable and inclusive global economy, calling for greater access to financing and policy space for developing countries to add value to their natural resources, including critical minerals, so that their populations could benefit more directly from their wealth.

She welcomed the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency, launched in Mauritius in October 2026. “This development is a building block of Africa taking ownership of its development and prosperity agenda. It demonstrates progress in Africa’s ambition to drive impetus for the reform of the international financial architecture, in order to ensure a level playing field,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.

On national development, the president called for the effective implementation of the Pact for the Future, which Namibia co-facilitated with Germany.

She said its commitments could support Namibia’s priorities in sectors such as agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, education and training, creative industries, health and social welfare, land, housing and sanitation. “As part of our development agenda, we are preparing our young people for the emerging industries such as oil and gas, renewable energy and green hydrogen, amongst others,” she noted. She also pointed to the National Youth Development Fund, established in 2025, as an initiative supporting young entrepreneurs in sectors such as healthcare, legal services, milling and poultry production.

International partners

On the sidelines of the UNGA, the president further engaged international education, energy and diamond industry representatives seeking to strengthen partnerships in investment, skills development, trade and tourism. NandiNdaitwah met with Monroe University President Marc Jerome to explore opportunities for academic cooperation and skills development for young Namibians.

She also met with Namibia’s Honorary Consuls to the United States, Jamaica and the Bahamas to discuss investment and trade promotion, tourism, diaspora engagement and development partnerships. Namibia’s ambassador to the United States, Wilbard Hellao, said the meeting advanced the Honorary Consuls’ action plan, which includes mobilising resources for development initiatives in the ||Karas Region. In the energy sector, representatives of Chevron briefed the president on the company’s planned development and operational activities in Namibia. Discussions focused on investment and the need to ensure that the development of natural resources contributes to employment, skills development and economic growth.

In a meeting between Nandi-Ndaitwah and De Beers Group Chief Executive Officer Al Cook to discuss the diamond industry’s contribution to Namibia’s development, Cook highlighted a five-year programme with the National Geographic Society, in partnership with Namibia, Botswana and Angola, to protect the Okavango Basin, conserve biodiversity and support local livelihoods. He also expressed interest in attracting more tourists to Namibia, linking the country’s diamond industry with environmental conservation.

With just days left in office, Guterres pledged to continue to stand up for the values of the United Nations Charter. “Wherever I will be, whatever I will be doing, I will keep championing the conviction that peace is possible. That human dignity is universal. That the power of law must prevail over the law of power. And that our common future is worth fighting for,” he said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulated Guterres, commending his leadership during the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and efforts to advance the Pact for the Future, pledging that Namibia remained ready to work with the incoming secretary-general and contribute to strengthening multilateral cooperation.

From the November 2026 issue

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