Story by George Sanzila
Windhoek – Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi has called for a continued mutually beneficial partnership between China and African countries. Hon. Katjaivi mentioned this when he addressed delegates on Wednesday (21/08/24) at the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (NPC) affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the 2024 Inter-Regional Seminar on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for parliaments of developing countries in Beijing, China.
Speaking at the gathering that included Chinese President, H.E. XI Jinping, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President and Tanzanian Speaker, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, together with Speakers of other developing countries, Hon. Katjavivi noted that the African region has made strides to boost inter-continental trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that was launched over five years ago.
“Over the last 60 years, influenced by the spirit of Pan-Africanism, African countries, post-independence, have continued to seek strength through unity and the desire for regional integration, as exemplified through the collective voice of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and most recently, the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) amongst other efforts. We are aware that in Africa’s desire for self-determination, countries on the continent have continued to singularly and collectively partner with China to promote a just and equitable international order, to safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment and to build an open and inclusive economy”, said Hon. Katjavivi.
The AfCFTA, one of the flagship projects of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, is a single market trade agreement that removes trade barriers by creating the free flow of goods and services and facilitating investment and the movement of people and capital throughout Africa.
Hon. Katjavivi appealed to international financial institutions to support and enhance Africa’s development agenda particularly in the areas of agriculture, human development and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Speaker also wants Africa’s untaped natural resources to be sustainably exploited for the benefit for its people, cautioning parliaments to exercise their mandate by creating policies aimed at environmental protection and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The moment is right to support green policies. Parliaments have an obligation to endorse, pass national policies and apportion budgets to help achieve SDGs. Namibia aspires to become a global green hydrogen hub. Our country seeks practical solutions in the development of green hydrogen for export and most importantly for domestic use to offset carbon emissions. A Bill will be presented to parliament for approval before becoming a ratified law”, stressed Hon. Katjavivi.
The Speaker further thanked the east Asian country for its support of Africa’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
