Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Dr. Hage Geingob has been awarded the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Investment Award at the COP28 climate change conference taking place in the United Arab Emirates. The NDC Investment Awards recognize institutions and individuals working to innovate and break new ground to mobilize private capital and private sector participation at scale in bankable NDC investment commitments and projects.
While receiving the award, Geingob said that the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) play a pivotal role in the global endeavour to combat climate change, especially for industrializing nations. “These commitments serve as a roadmap for countries to outline their specific plans, strategies, and targets for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. In the context of industrializing nations, NDCs provide a structured framework to align climate action with sustainable development goals,” Geingob said.
He added that by integrating climate mitigation and adaptation measures into their industrialization plans, Namibia plans to foster green growth, ensuring that economic development occurs in an environmentally responsible manner.
“For Namibia, NDCs also act as a catalyst for attracting international support and financing. The estimated cost for implementing Namibia’s NDCs is US$ 15 billion by 2030, with 90% of it contingent on financial support from the Multilateral Funding Windows under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We take note of all the progress that has been made at this 28th Conference of Parties to mobilize the necessary resources from our more developed peers. We need to do more,” Geingob said.
The Namibian President said that climate change is disrupting the way of life in the land of the brave, negatively impacting Namibia’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth report identifies Namibia as one of the most vulnerable nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with rising temperatures, increased evaporation, and rainfall variability posing significant challenges. The impact on Namibia’s population, heavily reliant on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing, is having a profound impact on our citizens exacerbating poverty, unemployment, and existing income inequalities. We are therefore compelled to take action,” Geingob stressed.
He added that Namibia, with its vast landscapes and untapped renewable potential, aspires to lead the charge in green industrialization across the African continent by harnessing the power of renewable energy.
“Our ambition is clear: to position Namibia as a hub for renewable energy innovation, driving green industrialization that creates jobs, fosters economic development, and ensures energy access for all. By 2030, we envision a Namibia that not only meets its energy demands sustainably but also contributes significantly to the broader African agenda of achieving energy security and mitigating the impacts of climate change,” Geingob said.
To achieve this vision, the president said resources beyond Namibia’s capacities will need to be mobilized to deliver significant new infrastructure such as new ports, roads, railways, transmission lines, and pipelines for water and hydrogen. “It is therefore essential that we work together to fully unlock the potential of our well-endowed nation and region. Once again, thank you very much for this award. This recognition will inspire us to continue to pursue our ambition with even greater enthusiasm,” Geingob concluded.
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