Spotlight on Namibia at COP28
Geingob leads large delegation to climate summit
Namibia used the global COP28 stage to attract investors to help boost employment opportunities in Namibia.
President Hage Geingob returned to Namibia on Sunday after successfully leading the Namibian delegation to the United Nations (UN) 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Upon arrival, Geingob emphasised the calibre of leaders with whom he shared a platform as an indication of the work Namibia has undertaken at the global gathering for climate action.
"We were well received and listened to. I also highlighted our problems and warned about youth unemployment, which is a time bomb. We are seeking investors to come and create jobs here in our functioning democracy, as many world leaders have confirmed about us. We have put Namibia on the map," he briefly stated at the airport.
A total of 212 people formed part of the Namibian delegation, although the government only covered expenses for 142 of them. Namibia is involved in various developments related to climate change and is particularly a leader on the continent in the transition to renewable energy, which the UN encourages worldwide.
Highly vulnerable
By 1 December, Geingob was already actively engaged in the high-level segment of the conference.
There, he stated that Namibia has been ranked as one of the countries in Africa, south of the Sahara, most vulnerable to climate change, experiencing rising temperatures, increased evaporation and rainfall variability.
With billions of US dollars needed, the president announced that Namibia has established a world-first blended financing infrastructure fund ready to receive climate financing "to facilitate the necessary action we need."
The president highlighted progress in the development of large-scale green hydrogen projects. "Today, as part of our efforts to build green industrial clusters in Namibia, we are developing more than nine hydrogen projects. To do this successfully, we must deploy more than 20 billion US dollars to give future generations a chance to fight against a warming planet."
"Solidarity, ambition, fairness and cooperation are essential if we are serious about correcting climate financing and placing livelihoods at the heart of climate action. Let us seize this moment at COP28 to prevent a climate catastrophe. Let us seize this moment by making bold decisions that will protect our planet for future generations. The time for talk is over. It is time for implementation," the Namibian president said.
Global recognition
Geingob also participated in the G77 plus China leaders' meeting, where he emphasised Namibia's commitment to global climate justice and fairness.
"We recognise that green industrialisation is not only an economic necessity but a path to environmental sustainability and social justice," Geingob said as he shared the stage with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
At the Global Renewable and Energy Efficiency Pledge event, he asked world leaders what they would do with a country that invests heavily in green hydrogen but has recently discovered large amounts of oil.
At the Africa Investment Earthshot Leaders' Summit on 5 December, Geingob was honoured as the green infrastructure investment statesman of the year.
The next day, he christened the Fortescue Green Pioneer, the world's first vessel powered by green ammonia.
"We were well received and listened to. I also highlighted our problems and warned about youth unemployment, which is a time bomb. We are seeking investors to come and create jobs here in our functioning democracy, as many world leaders have confirmed about us. We have put Namibia on the map," he briefly stated at the airport.
A total of 212 people formed part of the Namibian delegation, although the government only covered expenses for 142 of them. Namibia is involved in various developments related to climate change and is particularly a leader on the continent in the transition to renewable energy, which the UN encourages worldwide.
Highly vulnerable
By 1 December, Geingob was already actively engaged in the high-level segment of the conference.
There, he stated that Namibia has been ranked as one of the countries in Africa, south of the Sahara, most vulnerable to climate change, experiencing rising temperatures, increased evaporation and rainfall variability.
With billions of US dollars needed, the president announced that Namibia has established a world-first blended financing infrastructure fund ready to receive climate financing "to facilitate the necessary action we need."
The president highlighted progress in the development of large-scale green hydrogen projects. "Today, as part of our efforts to build green industrial clusters in Namibia, we are developing more than nine hydrogen projects. To do this successfully, we must deploy more than 20 billion US dollars to give future generations a chance to fight against a warming planet."
"Solidarity, ambition, fairness and cooperation are essential if we are serious about correcting climate financing and placing livelihoods at the heart of climate action. Let us seize this moment at COP28 to prevent a climate catastrophe. Let us seize this moment by making bold decisions that will protect our planet for future generations. The time for talk is over. It is time for implementation," the Namibian president said.
Global recognition
Geingob also participated in the G77 plus China leaders' meeting, where he emphasised Namibia's commitment to global climate justice and fairness.
"We recognise that green industrialisation is not only an economic necessity but a path to environmental sustainability and social justice," Geingob said as he shared the stage with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
At the Global Renewable and Energy Efficiency Pledge event, he asked world leaders what they would do with a country that invests heavily in green hydrogen but has recently discovered large amounts of oil.
At the Africa Investment Earthshot Leaders' Summit on 5 December, Geingob was honoured as the green infrastructure investment statesman of the year.
The next day, he christened the Fortescue Green Pioneer, the world's first vessel powered by green ammonia.
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