President Hage Geingob on Monday held a telephonic conversation with the emir of the state of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani where they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to the media in Qatar, the two heads of state agreed to look at ways to enhance bilateral relations between their countries and also discuss a number of issues of common concern. 

Meanwhile, Geingob late last year received an invitation from Bin Hamad Al Thani to attend the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

The conference is set to be held in Doha, Qatar’s capital from 23 to 27 January this year.

It aims to conduct an overall assessment of the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action approved by the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries hosted by Turkey in 2011.

The conference also aims at addressing the challenges it encountered, besides exchanging lessons learned, facing emerging challenges, taking advantage of the new opportunities, identifying effective practices, and adopting additional support arrangements and measures for the least developed countries. 

The convening of the conference comes against the background of a changing global scene, as the Covid-19 pandemic has led to dangerous and grave impacts on the least developed countries in particular, and has rendered achieving the sustainable development goals a challenge that requires doubled collective efforts.

“While we hope that the results of these conferences will contribute to drawing a new course of action for the next 10 years to address the needs and priorities of the least developed countries, and achieve the desired progress in their economic, social and human development, your participation in it will have a significant impact on strengthening the joint efforts to tackle the challenges faced by the least developed countries in their pursuit to achieve their development goals,” Bin Hamad Al Thani told Geingob in the invitation letter.

“I look forward to welcoming you to Doha. With my highest consideration,” added the 42-year-old leader. 

Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari yesterday said Namibia is looking at Qatar for investments in infrastructure and other sectors of the economy to drive national development. 

He said the invitation by Bin Hamad Al Thani is driven by the desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.