International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia is preparing the second voluntary national review report on the implementation process of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level. 
The report is expected to be completed by July 2021.

Namibia presented her first-ever SDGs voluntary national review report in 2018 at the high-level political forum in New York, which report was completed through a country-led and nationally owned process. 
The country’s 2018 reporting on the implementation process of the SDGs at the national level led to Namibia being awarded a Commonwealth Award for Excellence in SDGs implementation, in Malta in July 2019.  
The award was given because Namibia was among the 13 United Nations (UN) member states that have domesticated the SDGs.  Furthermore, Namibia has aligned her National Development Plan with the SDGs. 

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN on Saturday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia recognises the importance of multilateralism, saying it is just fair that member states rededicate to protect the principles of the UN Charter. 
She said the theme of the UN Day ‘The future we want, the United Nations we need’ comes at a time “when we need it most as the world”.  
“Tribute must be paid to the United Nations for its steadfast efforts throughout 75 years in the furtherance of peace and security, dialogue, development, prosperity for all, and for upholding the principles and values enshrined in the charter of the organisation,” she noted.

She stated that Namibia appreciates the various actions taken by the organs of the United Nations system which have rendered invaluable services, especially to developing countries, and helped inspire hope in places and situations once beset with fear and turbulence.
She, therefore, thanked the UN Office in Namibia for closely working with the Namibian Government in implementing, firstly, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), secondly, the SDGs, and thirdly, in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In September 2000, world leaders committed their nations to achieve eight MDGs by 2015. These goals included halving extreme poverty, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, and providing universal primary education. To attain the MDGs, the secretary general of the United Nations launched different initiatives, including the Zero Hunger Challenge and Every Woman, Every Child.
“Great progress was made in reaching many of these goals, but much more still needs to be done. I am happy to note that while Namibia had lagged behind on the target to achieve equitable income distribution, we have made good progress on the net enrolment on the primary education target,” she reported.

The UN’s post-2015 sustainable development agenda was therefore launched in an effort to tackle further pressing world challenges in September 2015.  
The MDGs helped end poverty for some, but not for all.  Therefore, SDGs will complete the work begun with the MDGs.

“The SDGs are a call for action by all countries poor, rich, and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand in hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection,” Nandi-Ndaitwah maintained.
– anakale@nepc.com.na