Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called for fair and accessible climate finance for developing countries while positioning Namibia as a strategic gateway for green energy and water investment linking Africa to the Middle East.
Addressing the Global South Utilities Forum at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Summit on Tuesday, Witbooi said developing countries were paying the highest price for climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.
“Climate finance must be fair, predictable, and accessible. Developing countries continue to bear the harshest consequences of climate change. Addressing this imbalance is both a moral and strategic imperative,” she told world leaders, investors and industry executives.
She appealed to international investors and partners to support Africa’s sustainable energy and water projects on a larger scale.
Witbooi said Namibia was no longer approaching sustainability as a theory but as a practical development path anchored in resilience, inclusivity and innovation.
She highlighted the country’s green hydrogen programme and climate-smart agriculture as flagship initiatives transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
“For Namibia, sustainability is not an abstract concept; it is a development trajectory. We have chosen to lead through action that demonstrates that climate constraints can be transformed into competitive advantages through innovation and smart investment.” Witbooi furthermore stressed that food security remains a national priority due to Namibia’s arid climate and growing water stress.
Therefore, she said, investment in water-efficient technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure was critical to safeguarding livelihoods, while creating jobs and export opportunities is of paramount importance.
Namibia is seeking to deepen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in sustainable energy, water infrastructure development and market access, she said.
“Namibia therefore seeks to deepen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates… positioning Namibia as a gateway to the Middle East and beyond,” Witbooi said.
She describes Africa’s green energy potential as “one of the greatest opportunities of our time” and said investment in sustainable infrastructure should not be seen as charity.
“Investment in sustainable energy and water infrastructure is not an act of charity; it is a cornerstone in global security and shared prosperity,” she said, adding that Namibia stands ready to partner with like-minded governments and investors.
The VP warned that global dialogue on climate change must now move beyond promises and declarations to real implementation.
“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit reminds us that dialogue must lead to delivery, and ambition must be matched by implementation,” she said.
Calling for unity, Witbooi urged governments, the private sector and development partners to work together to mobilise capital, transfer technology and build long-term solutions.
“Let us move beyond declarations to decisive action, beyond fragmentation to collaboration,” she said.
The Global South Utilities Forum brings together leaders from government, industry and finance to discuss sustainable energy, water security and climate resilience, with a strong focus on emerging economies.
The VP conveyed greetings from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and praised the United Arab Emirates for its leadership in multilateral cooperation, saying global challenges can only be solved through collective action.
“Together, we can build a future that is more resilient, fairer, cleaner and truly sustainable,” she said.
