Vice President Lucia Witbooi and her delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit, where the country is seeking to court global investors.

The Namibian delegation is also looking to strengthen partnerships in key sectors such as water, energy and agriculture.

The summit, which kicked off yesterday, concludes on Thursday. Others forming part of the delegation are agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani and presidential advisor Christine //Hoebes.

It is held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go’.

It brings together heads of state, ministers, investors, business leaders and sustainability experts to turn global climate and development commitments into practical action, especially for developing countries and emerging economies.

Speaking to State broadcaster NBC before her departure, Witbooi said she is attending the summit with a clear focus on promoting Namibia as an attractive destination for sustainable investment.

“I’m delegated by the President [Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah] to attend the global sustainability summit. It is a platform that convenes leaders and industry stakeholders to advance dialogue and sustainable development,” Witbooi said.

She said the summit is not only about discussion but also about concrete outcomes that can benefit Namibia’s economy and communities.

“The summit will focus on turning global commitment into practical actions, through partnership and investment,” she said.

She added that Namibia’s participation comes at a critical time when the country is seeking to expand international cooperation, attract investors and support long-term sustainable development.

“I expect the outcome of the summit will be to strengthen our international partnership and engagement. It will also support knowledge and technology transfer and improve Namibia’s global sustainability and community-inclusive development,” Witbooi said.

She emphasised that attracting investors is a priority for the Namibian government, especially in sectors that are vital for economic growth and climate resilience.

“The importance of Namibia’s participation in the summit is for us to grow the entourage of different investors and to attract investors in Namibia,” she said.

Witbooi highlighted water, agriculture, water management and energy as the main areas where Namibia is seeking partnerships and investment.

“Water, agriculture, water management, energy – these are the areas we are focusing on,” she said.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is one of the world’s leading sustainability platforms and is expected to attract thousands of global delegates. It offers opportunities for investment discussions, policy dialogue and cooperation in renewable energy, climate finance, water security and skills development.

Namibia is also looking to deepen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, particularly in sustainable agriculture, agri-processing, water management and access to Middle Eastern markets, as part of broader efforts to diversify the economy and build climate resilience.

Witbooi said Namibia is ready to work with global partners to deliver tangible results that improve people’s lives.

“Namibia stands ready to work with partners to deliver a resilient and sustainable future, and of course, the business in Namibia is the focus of our community,” she said.

During the summit, Witbooi is expected to participate in high-level meetings, dialogues and networking engagements aimed at mobilising investment and strengthening Namibia’s position in the global sustainability agenda.

-ljason@nepc.com.na