At the forefront of UK-Namibia bilateral relations

As British High Commissioner, Charles Moore represents His Majesty King Charles III and the United Kingdom government in the Republic of Namibia.A key objective of the British High Commission is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom (UK) and Namibia as well as support the Namibian government in addressing major challenges such as poverty, wealth inequality, and the impact of climate change. "As High Commissioner, my objective is to understand the Namibian government’s priorities and ambitions, and then to consider how the United Kingdom may be able to offer support to the government in achieving those goals", says Moore. In addition to strengthening the bilateral diplomatic relationship between the UK and Namibia, his role includes promoting and protecting UK interests in Namibia, strengthening the trade and investment relationship, and understanding Namibia's policies on domestic, regional and international issues.Forging a diplomatic pathMoore was born in London and spent much of his childhood in Nigeria, where his parents worked for many years.He was educated at the King's School in Canterbury. He is married with three children and three grandchildren. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, walking, golf and squash. He also enjoys 80s rock music, which is "best played at high volume".Moore joined the diplomatic service in 1982. "I always wanted a job that allowed me to travel and see the world", he says. As a career diplomat, he has had eight previous postings, serving in Zimbabwe, Oman, Botswana, Indonesia, Switzerland, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and South Sudan. In addition, his diplomatic duties have taken him to a wide variety of countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific – visiting countries as diverse as North Korea, Fiji and tiny St Barthelemy. Furthermore, he spent two years as head of dignitary operations at the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where he was responsible for managing the 121 heads of State and Government, 190 sports ministers and 500 UK dignitaries, including the Royal Family, who attended the Games.Providing supportIn January 2021, he was appointed as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia. Given Namibia's status as an upper middle-income country, the UK does not have a formal aid programme to help address some of the country’s major challenges, such as poverty. But the British High Commission does have funding to deliver small projects in a variety of sectors and locations across the country, often working in conjunction with other partners, to support growth and development in Namibia."We are particularly interested in focusing on youth development and female empowerment, as well as sharing experience in addressing societal issues such as GBV, which is also a major issue in the United Kingdom", he explains."We also focus on SME development, providing training on export readiness for SMEs so that excellent Namibian products such as cosmetics can be exported".The British High Commission also coordinates Chevening Scholarships, enabling Namibian graduates to study for a master's degree in the UK."The process is highly competitive", says Moore, "due to the outstanding talent of the many candidates who apply. Chevening Alumni in Namibia include Hon Peter Shivute, the Chief Justice, and Bisey Uirab, CEO of the Namibia Airports Authority".In all these activities, Moore says he is supported by an exceptionally strong team at the British High Commission. "Their energy, devotion, and enthusiasm are visible in all they do, and they collectively embody the very best qualities of the Namibian people - warmth, energy and talent. They are a fantastic team".A bright future According to Moore, the United Kingdom and Namibia have enjoyed a cordial relationship, both bilaterally and as Commonwealth partners, since Independence in 1990. "Namibia has a really bright future as a safe, peaceful, democratic country that is also stunningly beautiful and endowed with abundant natural resources".The United Kingdom and Namibia are eager to expand bilateral commerce and investment, and the UK is keen to support Namibia on its path to regional and international success, he says."Serving as the British High Commissioner to Namibia is an incredible honour. I have travelled more than 50 000 kilometres around this beautiful and diverse country in the last two and a half years. I have met and been welcomed by Namibians from all walks of life, and it has been a privilege to learn so much about the history, culture, and geography of this spectacular region of Africa – a continent where I've spent more than 25 years of my life. With such incredible wildlife, birdlife and scenery available in Namibia, my passion for photography has enabled me to build a significant portfolio of memories that I can treasure long after my assignment here is finished".

At the forefront of UK-Namibia bilateral relations

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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At the forefront of UK-Namibia bilateral relations

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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