President Mbumba departs for New York to attend UNGA79

Ahead of the General Debate, world leaders will gather at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on 20 and 23 September 2024 for the Summit of the Future, which aims to address critical challenges in global governance exposed by recent global shocks. The Namibian Presidency revealed that the President will also co-chair the pivotal Summit of the Future, presiding over the adoption of the Pact of the Future, a document that will bind world leaders to address global challenges facing humanity, including climate change, development financing, rising inequality, conflict, and food security.

According to the UN, the draft Pact under negotiation “has the potential to promote a multilateral system that reflects the realities of today and that delivers for everyone, everywhere.”

“This year, UNGA will coincide with the Summit of the Future, which will be co-chaired by President Nangolo Mbumba and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Summit of the Future will be held under the theme: ‘Summit of the Future: Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow.’ The Summit, which will adopt the Pact of the Future, will run from 20-23 September and will also include various events involving world leaders and civil society. As co-chair, President Mbumba will deliver statements during the opening session and Interactive Dialogues on diverse issues such as enhancing the global system for current and future generations,” the Namibian Presidency explained.

President Mbumba described Namibia’s role as co-chair as “a privilege and recognition of Namibia as a country whose voice and aspirations resonate deeply with the people of the Global South.” Speaking on the Summit of the Future last week, President Mbumba expressed his enthusiasm to participate in the event, hoping it will provide a platform for bold ideas and concrete commitments to reinvigorate the UN and multilateralism. During the Summit of the Future Global Call, which took place last week, the President also urged member states to reflect on how the UN can continue to build on multilateralism.

Namibia’s desire for UN reform to ensure inclusivity has been frequently highlighted by President Mbumba, the late President Hage Geingob, and the current Vice President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

The importance of multilateralism and UN reform was also recently emphasised by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Ambassador to the UN. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations on the Future of Multilateralism and UN Reform on Thursday, she said: “It’s time for African leadership to have a permanent place on the Security Council too.”

On the margins of UNGA79, President Mbumba is expected to participate in several meetings. This includes a courtesy meeting with the Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, on Thursday, 19 September 2024, as well as a courtesy meeting with the President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, on Friday, 20 September 2024.

President Mbumba will also attend the 40th Annual Awards Gala in Honour of the late President Geingob, which will be hosted by the African American Institute on Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

“The Gala Dinner will celebrate the contributions and achievements of African and Diaspora visionaries in education, arts, and culture across Africa and its Diaspora,” the Namibian Presidency revealed.

President Mbumba will return to the country on Saturday, 28 September 2024.