Trade and International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has urged her team to intensify the country’s focus on economic diplomacy, trade and investment promotion.

Her call comes at a time when global tensions, climate pressures and disruptions to trade systems continue to ravage smaller economies.

Ashipala-Musavyi said diplomacy must now deliver direct and measurable benefits to ordinary Namibians, including jobs, investment and access to markets. She was speaking at the ministry’s International Relations and Trade’s 2026 strategic alignment meeting. Among the attendees was deputy minister Jenelly Matundu, executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, heads of mission and senior officials.

“We begin 2026 at a time when the global environment is increasingly uncertain and highly complex. Across the world, geopolitical competition is intensifying. The United Nations Charter is being disregarded,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.

She warned that global tension, unilateral decisions and violations of international law are putting pressure on smaller and medium economies.

“Global tension is rising, and global cooperation is often strained by conflicting interests. Unilateral decisions that have far-reaching consequences for sovereign nations are taken outside established norms of multilateral freedom, often without broad international consensus,” she said.

Ashipala-Musavyi adde disruptions in global trade, logistics and supply chains are already affecting the cost of living and economic stability.

“We continue to witness disruption in global trade systems, logistics and supply chains, which affect the cost of living, access to markets and national economic stability, especially for smaller and medium economies,” she said.  “For Namibia, climate diplomacy must be viewed not only as an international obligation but as a national priority aligned to resilience and development,” the minister said. She said, Namibia, as a drought-prone country, must continue advocating for international action on desertification and drought.

Contributing, Nghipondoka-Robiati said: “Today, we gather to listen, to reflect – and most importantly, to chart the way forward”. She continued: “Although the angels are dressed in the tradition, it primarily serves as a moment for realignment. How do we align our diplomacy and trade to develop a nature that has an impact on the lives of our fellow compatriots, especially those going through this world that is constantly changing?” she asked.

Moreover, Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted the ministry’s expanded mandate reflects the realities facing the country and global economy.

The minister noted that Namibia will focus on market diversification and priority sectors, where the country has a competitive advantage.

“All sectors, such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy and logistics, will remain central to this effort,” she said. She said trade in services, including business, financial services, transport and communication, will also be expanded to improve competitiveness.

Ashipala-Musavyi said regional engagements showed that Namibians are ready to participate in the economy. “They have confirmed that Namibians are industrious, ambitious and ready to participate in the economy if we create the enabling conditions,” she said. She highlighted progress on key legislation aimed at improving the investment climate.

“We have effectively demonstrated consistency on the Draft Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill and finalised the Trade Management Bill. Both draft bills are tied to tangible results in terms of jobs created, investment secured, barriers removed, markets opened and national interest protected,” she said. The minister also announced plans to professionalise the foreign service through training, mentorship and staff rotation.

“A professional foreign service is indispensable to our work and not built by chance. We are the first line of defence of Namibia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she said.

Closing the session, Matundu said the success of the ministry’s expanded role depends on unity and discipline. “Let us work together to strengthen our internal coordination, deliver on our international relations and trade objectives, and ensure that our efforts translate into feasible benefits for the Namibian people,” stated Matundu.

– ljason@nepc.com.na