Climate change is real

WINDHOEK, Sept. 23 – Namibian President Dr. Hage Geingob emphasised the reality of climate change and the need to address it during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The adoption of Agenda 2030, accession to the 2015 Paris Agreement reaffirmed the centrality of multilateral-ism, but also reaffirmed the reality of climate change within the United Nations member States.

“What happened in Sierra Leone, the Caribbean and some parts of the United States is a grim reminder that Climate Change is real. We witnessed the stripping away of human dignity, security and hope. We must therefore increase our resolve to address the challenges of climate change,” said Geingob.

He added that to achieve the ambitions of living on a sustainable planet, peace processes and international peace building must be strengthened.

Out of 52 UN peacekeeping and special political missions, 26 are in Africa, and Geingob gave a thumbs up with regards to the institutional partnership between the UN Security Council and the African Union in the maintenance of international peace and security.

“This not only enhances cooperation between the two institutions, but also adds greater legitimacy to the decisions taken by the Security Council on Africa. Africa should not only be seen as a source of precious primary commodities, but an important and equal partner of the international community, with a contribution to make. In this context, we welcome the recent agreement between the Secretary General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to enhance coordination between the Africa Union and the United Nations, ‘ he said. – NDN Staffer