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Staff Reporter PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially received the Letters of Credence from several ambassadors appointed as heads of diplomatic missions to Namibia. The ambassadors who presented their credentials were Katja Kalamäki, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland; Ramia Shawky Abdelsalam, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Mohammad Bagher Beigi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Alhaji Abdul Rahman Harruna Attah, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana; and John Giordano, Ambassador of the United States of America. “The Presentation of Credentials Ceremony is a formal process through which ambassadors are accredited to serve as heads of diplomatic missions in Namibia,” the Namibian Presidency explained. During her engagements with the newly-accredited diplomats, President Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored the importance of maintaining and strengthening diplomatic relations. She noted that the presentation of credentials provides an opportunity to build on existing partnerships and to explore new areas of cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development. Reflecting on Namibia’s longstanding friendship with Finland, President Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted a relationship that spans more than 150 years, rooted in the fields of education and health through the work of early missionaries. “Both sides expressed commitment to deepen cooperation in education, industrialization, and vocational training. The Finnish Ambassador applauded Namibia’s leadership in gender equality and commended the President for her strong stance on climate change and sustainable development,” the presidency added. Discussions with the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt focused on collaboration in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and hospital management, as well as capacity building in the medical and agricultural sectors, including leather processing and beef exports. The two leaders also explored ways to grow the tourism industry through increased investment in hotel infrastructure. In her meeting with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the historical ties between the two nations, which date back to the pre-independence era. The discussions centred on shared interests in energy security, agriculture, water infrastructure, and women’s empowerment. When engaging with the High Commissioner of Ghana, the President highlighted the deep historical connection between Namibia and Ghana, as well as their shared goal of expanding trade in meat, salt, and fish. Both parties agreed on the importance of promoting women’s empowerment in business and strengthening trade relations through the upcoming Namibia Business Forum in November. “During her engagement with the Ambassador of the United States of America, President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed appreciation for the United States’ past support to Namibia through initiatives such as PEPFAR and the Millennium Challenge, and acknowledged the recent humanitarian assistance provided during the drought. Building on her recent visit to Philadelphia, discussions also explored opportunities for direct flights between Namibia and the United States, as well as potential American investments in Namibia’s oil and gas sector aimed at creating jobs and meaningful opportunities for Namibians,” the presidency added. ACCREDITED TO SERVE: Scenes from the Presentation of Credentials Ceremony. Photos: Namibian Presidency.
