Africa Working Group of the European Union Council to visit next week
The delegation of the European Union to Namibia recently announced that the Africa Working Group of the European Union Council (COAFR) will be visiting the country from 29 January until 1 February.
The group is composed of one representative of each EU Member State, the Commission and the Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. Ms Marie Lapierre from the European External Action Service is the COAFR Chair.
COAFR is responsible for the management of EU external policy towards sub-Saharan Africa, the African Union and other sub-regional organizations.
The visit aims at improving the group’s knowledge and understanding of Africa, and, this year, more specifically of Namibia.
This year’s working visit will be the 7th visit of COAFR on the African continent and the 2nd one in Southern Africa.
EU-Africa relations are long-standing and currently focus on the comprehensive EU-Africa Strategy and preparations for the upcoming EU-AU Summit slated for 2020.
During this visit COAFR wants to learn more about the economy, the effects of climate change on the country and how best to collaborate with Namibia – focussing on inclusive growth and on Green Deals amongst others.
The Working Group’s programme includes a meeting with EU Heads of Mission, official meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Hon. Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly as well as the Minister of Finance, Hon. Calle Schlettwein.
Furthermore, the City of Windhoek in collaboration with the EU Delegation in Namibia prepared a programme that includes site visits to Rocky Crest Early Childhood Development Centre, Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre, the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant and the informal settlement area. The working group will similarly engage with private sector representatives, civil society organisations and the media.
