Windhoek, June 19, 2023 – President Dr. Hage G. Geingob concluded official talks with Honorable Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, and Honorable Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, following their historic joint working visit to Namibia. The discussions aimed to strengthen dialogue on global challenges and opportunities, while fostering genuine green partnerships between the three nations.
President Geingob warmly welcomed the two Prime Ministers to Namibia and emphasized the significance of hosting both leaders simultaneously, marking a historic occasion for the country. He highlighted Namibia’s democratic values, including a free press and respect for democratic institutions.
The President emphasized that while Namibia has established a robust governance architecture, the people’s primary concern is access to food and employment. He highlighted the success of providing education to the country’s youth, but noted that it has led to a challenge of creating employment opportunities for these educated individuals.
President Geingob expressed dissatisfaction with Namibia’s classification as an upper middle-income country, as it hampers the nation’s ability to access soft loans and grants. He criticized the method of calculating per capita income by dividing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the small population, deeming it unfair and urging reconsideration.
The President expressed enthusiasm for entering a new era of equal partnerships with Denmark and the Netherlands, particularly in the field of energy transition. He emphasized the need to address challenges such as unemployment through mutually beneficial collaboration.
Honorable Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by President Geingob. She highlighted the unique nature of their visit to Namibia, emphasizing the realization of a partnership of equals. Prime Minister Frederiksen stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the African Union and the European Union to address shared challenges faced by both continents. She called for strategic planning to create a sustainable future for the youth, recognizing Namibia’s expertise in green hydrogen as an opportunity for collaboration.
Prime Minister Frederiksen also voiced her concern over Namibia’s classification as an upper middle-income country, suggesting a discussion with international institutions to address the issue.
Honorable Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, expressed his delight in discussing green hydrogen cooperation with Namibia, recognizing the advancements in this field. He urged the two countries to bolster their collaboration in green hydrogen to enhance economic resilience and sustainability. Prime Minister Rutte emphasized the existing strong ties between Namibia and the Netherlands, spanning companies, educational institutions, and ordinary citizens. He encouraged both nations to prepare for a green hydrogen transition by 2025-2026, reaffirming the Netherlands’ commitment to working closely with Namibia to create a more sustainable world.
