By Eveline de Klerk
SWAKOPMUND – Former Namibian ambassadors who attended the Seventh Namibian Heads of Mission Conference that ended on Friday in Swakopmund have formed an association to help the government.
They decided to band together to try and help play a role in assisting current ambassadors in their quest to woo investors to the country. The organisation, called the Namibian Association of Former Ambassadors (NAFA) was established to help retain the experience and expertise of those who in the past served as head of mission.
NAFA was officially launched by Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob last Friday in Swakopmund. Geingob urged current ambassadors to make use of the expertise of the former ambassadors as this would be of economic benefit to the country.
Geingob during the launch of the organisation said that times have changed and the role of ambassadors have become more than ceremonial and administrative.
“NAFA is expected to be a central part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ mission to seek a permanent and well-entrenched improvement in Namibia’s ability to continue to project its image outside the borders of the country,” the premier implored NAFA founders. Also speaking during the launch of the organisation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, said NAFA would assist the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate with a clear sense of purpose, greater ambition and a stronger diplomatic network.
“It will bring even greater skills and capacity that enjoy the confidence of the president through the ability to negotiate, influence, advise and act for the Republic of Namibia anywhere in the world,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“In addition the organ will act as an additional pool of expertise to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues relating to the formulation and management of foreign policy,” the foreign affairs minister said.
The association consist of 23 former ambassadors and high commissioners. NAFA will be a non-profit association and will form part of the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former ambassadors and current ambassadors attended the weeklong conference at Swakopmund. The conference, which was officially opened last week Monday by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, was held under the theme, “Enhancing Economic Diplomacy in Pursuance of Namibia’s Foreign Policy.”
The aim of the conference was to review the implementation of the country’s foreign policy and adopt other policy documents that will further enhance efficiency of foreign services.