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Old friends find one another at the negotiating table for development funding

Old friends find one another at the negotiating table for development funding

The 2017 development cooperation agreement between the German and Namibian governments was signed last week by Mr Ned Sebey (front) of the National Planning Commission and Mr Benjamin Seidel representing the German Federal Ministry of Cooperation.

The official Consultations on Development Cooperation were concluded last week in Windhoek.

Announcing the successful conclusion of this year’s agreement, the German Embassy in Windhoek said the main cooperatioin goal remains the fight against poverty and inequality.

During the consultations, both governments confirmed that the preferential areas of cooperation will continue to be the management of natural resources, sustainable economic development and the transport sector.

Other fields of cooperation outside the focal areas are water, energy and sport. These were also on the table during the discussions.

The German Embassy stated that Namibian German cooperation is fully aligned with the ideals and goals formulated in Namibia’s long-term development strategies as well as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The consultations were held in a very friendly and open atmosphere and were characterized by intensive, transparent, and fruitful discussions.

Both the German and the Namibian negotiators mentioned the specific benefits and successes of the bilateral cooperation since Independence.

During the consultations, the German delegation reiterated Germany’s commitment to engage development partners in Africa. This applies to the German Government as well as private sector investors. Constructive engagement with Africa is a German priority under it G20 presidency.

The two governments confirmed their commitment to continue strengthening the special partnership and friendship between the two countries. This is also reflected in the scale of German development funding for projects in Namibia which is the highest per capita in Africa.

The German Embassy said total German assistance to Namibian development since Independence has exceeded N$14 billion.

This is complemented by the cooperation and funding under the framework of the European Union, the African Union, SADC and other multi-lateral organisations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the African Development Bank.

The next round of Consultations on Development Cooperation is slated for the second semester this year.

(Photograph supplied by the German Embassy in Windhoek)

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