Your Excellency Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Your Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, When the Founders convened 80 years ago, they did so:
To establish an organisation, among others to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, dignity of the human person, and equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small and to lay the groundwork for a durable system that promotes justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and international law. While over the following decades, we have come close to the brink of war, the United Nations has stood the test of time…
Namibia’s journey to independence is one of the UN’s most success stories. It was through this very Organisation that our forebearers tirelessly petitioned for the end of Apartheid-colonial rule in Namibia, for freedom and independence of our people. My personal journey with the United Nations begun in 1974 where I have had the privilege to serve my country and Africa in various capacities within the halls of this distinguished global organ. Today, I am deeply honoured and humbled to stand before you, as fifth President of the Republic of Namibia, with a mandate to deliver services and ensure justice for all inhabitants of our country. As a woman, I encourage every girl and woman by affirming that, your voice matters. Your vision is needed as it will pave your way to the helm of whatever institution.
…On energy, Namibia is diversifying her energy mix, using all our natural resources. In addition, Namibia presented her Energy Compact at the Africa Energy Forum, thus enabling us to access concessional funding for national energy initiatives. Climate change is scorching our lands and drying up our rivers. Global instability is impacting our markets and jeopardising our livelihoods. These are interconnected symptoms of a deeper fragility in our shared systems. They require our collective action, rooted in empathy and shared responsibility.
…Namibia continues to make progress in the area of women in decision making. Currently, Namibians Cabinet has 57% of women. As we gear up to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, adopted during Namibia’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, Namibia will host two high-level events in New York and Windhoek.
…The impasse in the UN Security Council over the Question of Western Sahara is an injustice, more than 34 years after the adoption of Resolution 690 of 1991. The time for the holding of the UN Referendum on the Right to Self-Determination for the People of Saharawi, IS NOW! This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which jointly constitute the Common African Position on the Reform of the UN Security Council. We acknowledge the support from all interest groups for the Common African Position, which culminated in the recognition of Africa as a priority and special case in the Reform process, as reflected in the outcome documents of relevant United Nations Processes, including the Pact for the Future. We can no longer delay the urgent call to redress the historical injustice to Africa and address our call for equitable and balanced representation on the Security Council… We call for an end to the continued illegal economic, financial and commercial embargo imposed on the friendly people of Cuba and removing her from the list of states sponsoring terrorism. We call for an end to the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. We are also gravely concerned about the emerging threats against Venezuela, and call for the removal of sanctions and threats against that country.
…Let us remember that, even the smallest nations have a voice… We have the opportunity to restore hope, to build a future defined not by division, but by unity and preservation of human dignity. I thank you.