Nandi-Ndaitwah wants Agenda 2063 to be fast tracked

WINDHOEK, 06 JUL  – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on African states to strongly pursue the implementation of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks in a speech she delivered at the opening of the Inaugural Joint Commission of Cooperation between Namibia and Senegal, Dakar, adding that this would contribute to efforts aimed at fast-tracking socio-economic development and integration of the African continent.
She further said regional economic communities such as the Southern African Development Community and Economic Community of West African States should also fast-track ongoing regional efforts towards the operationalisation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFTA).
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the AFTA has been signed by 49 countries, including Namibia and Senegal.
“Ratification should also move at the same pace to allow it to be operationalised,” she said.
The minister said Namibia views Senegal as a vital partner and the general Cooperation Framework Agreement between the two countries and reciprocal state visits by both Heads of State in 2013 and 2014, respectively, speak to the importance of such bilateral relations and cooperation.
The minister said the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) will enable both parties to effectively implement the Agreements and memorandums of understanding for mutual benefit and tangible improvement of the citizens of both countries.
Furthermore, she noted that the policy frameworks that will emanate from the operationalisation of the JCC will create sustainable linkages of co-operation, promote public-private partnerships, technology transfer and business innovation, amongst others.
She reiterated that sectors such as agriculture, fishing and aquaculture, trade, tourism, mining as well as establishing working relations between the two strategically positioned harbours, namely the Dakar Port and Namibia’s port in Walvis Bay are vital to both countries’ economic advancement.
The minister emphasised that both countries’ cooperation can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
Namibia and Senegal are both members of the C-10 of the AU of the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.
(NAMPA)