Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698926769561.pdf (Namibia)
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA BUDGET SPEECH MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERA TION BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 07 FOR THE 2018/2019 FINANCIAL YEAR BY HON.

NETUMBO NANDi-NDAITW AH, MP DEPUTY P~IME MINISTER AND MINISTER li APRIL 2018 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOTIV ATIQN FOR THE 2018/2019 FINANCIAL BUDGET SPEECH MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 07 FOR THE 2018/2019 FINANCIAL YEAR BY HON.
NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITW AH, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER 12 APRIL 2018 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOTIV ATION FOR THE 2018/2019 FINANCIAL YEAR Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members 1.

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Since I had the distinct honor of motivating appropriation of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, events and activities have taken place, significant sustained economic growth and sustainable development, to this August House the 2017/2018 a number of all of which bear for in general, and our national pursuit in particular.
impact on international and globally, regionally relations As an example, of our commitment to stability in the SADC region, we have continued to seek stability in the sister countries of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Democratic the African Union completed the draft Treaty on the Republic of Congo.

Continentally, the world has witnessed with concern of the Continental Free Trade Area.

In Europe, growing anti-immigrant on xenophobia.


Tension in the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East dominated the debate at the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

policies bordering in the annual budget Just as we at the Ministry of International Relations interest multilateral logical.

Bilateral resources.

At including Namibia, make up the budgets of regional and international organisations.

take a keen speeches of the Minister of Finance, our bilateral and they too do the same to ours.
The reason is very simple and financial states, the same time, assessed statutory contributions cannot be pursued without and Cooperation and multilateral from member cooperation partners, a country's Furthermore, determines how much Foreign Direct International Relations and Cooperation, pursue our economic diplomacy Investment therefore, to create growth fiscal status, contributes to its fiscal image, which in turn it attracts.
For us in the Ministry of this is important, as we inter alia, I therefore wish to at home.

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7. congratulate our Minister of Finance and his team, first for working towards the reduction of the budget deficit.

Secondly, for tabling a budget that "is a proposition for growth, jobs and the continued erosion of poverty and inequalities" The challenges and opportunities emerging for Namibia have evolved to an extent that we can only ignore them at the peril of our national interests.
The international political system is inherently complex and dynamic.

In addition, diplomacy is no longer confined to governments alone.

Global development and security challenges are so complex that states alone cannot adequately address them.

Hence our pursuit of a forward looking foreign policy and I may add, effective and professional Foreign Service.
However, creating and maintaining a professional Foreign Service as well as successfully managing Namibia's foreign policy is not cost free, not to mention that expenditures are substantially in foreign currencies.

As we have embarked on making our missions leaner, optimising education and training of our diplomats at government expense should be considered urgently, as diplomacy is evolving.

Our diplomats should be multiple skilled and this therefore calls for a diplomatic academy.
To this end, the Ministry is in the process of engaging the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM).

Another area that I am compelled to bring to the attention of this House concerns assistance to our citizens abroad.

These include students either on government scholarships or privately funded individuals incarcerated or business people, tourists etc.
Where possible, our diplomatic missions assist only with travel documents in the case of repatriating the mortal remains of our citizens.

With regard to other cases involving financial resources, missions are not equipped to assist.

Our nationals need to be aware and ensure that they have arranged insurance cover before they travel abroad.

Honorable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honorable Members 8.

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Allow me to address an issue, which at face value might not be directly related to international relations; the menace of crime and how it relates to disarmament.

The world should not only view disarmament through biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, but also through conventional weapons, especially small arms and light weapons that are creating instability in most of the developing countries, especially some parts of Africa.
There is a clear link between crime and the proliferation of small arms that must not be lost.

This will be Namibia's core message when we shall participate at the forthcoming review conference of the parties to the UN convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

It is important that as a country, we speak with one voice on the subject matter.

Maintenance of peace is an important facet of our foreign policy.
The long and bitter struggle against apartheid colonialism remains a fundamental factor that inform and shape our foreign policy.

Our commitment to the inherent right of people's self- 3 determination and independence influence our foreign policy.

This is why we continue to steadfastly speak out against the occupation of Western Sahara and Palestine, because we have lived it, and have felt the dehumanisation that comes with it.

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Namibia denounces the recent declaration by United States of Jerusalem as a Capital of Israel.

We strongly reject recent attempts aimed at altering the character, status and demographic composition of the City of Jerusalem.

Such attempts continue to violate the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence.
We continue to call for the full implementation of all relevant UN Resolutions on Western Sahara and Palestine, and reiterate our commitment to the two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Palestine.

REVIEW OF THE 2017/2018 FINANCIAL YEAR INCLUDING ACIDEVEMENTS CONSTRAINTS AND Hon.

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The primary beneficiaries of our foreign policy are the people of Namibia; hence our foreign policy is an extension of our domestic policy, that must contribute to creating jobs and rising the standards of living at home.

In this context, the Ministry launched the Theo - Ben Gurirab Lecture Series last year, with the purpose of creating a platform for the public to understand their foreign policy, and in turn make their input in the foreign policy of their country.
We are encouraged by the interest shown by the youth and we continue to appreciate their participation in the future sessions of the lecture series.

In 2017, our bilateral relations at both political and economic levels were consolidated and strengthened with the subsequent signing of 30 Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with various countries.
These bilateral instruments have created opportunities to further advance infrastructure development, promote joint ventures and broaden cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, education, health, tourism, culture, science and technology, as well as people-to-people contact, to mention but a few.

SADC remains an important organisation for Namibia's foreign policy, through which we pursue regional integration and shared development programs with other Member States.
Peace and stability are important pillars for regional integration.

The political and security situation in the region remains relatively calm, with few exceptions.

With regard to the Kingdom of Lesotho, the SADC Preventive Mission was deployed in Lesotho.

Namibia has contributed personnel in all components of the SADC Contingent, which is testimony to our commitment to ensuring peace and security in the region.

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In the same spirit, Namibia also serves on the SADC Oversight Committee on Lesotho, the and has seconded experts to that Committee, which has been tasked to assist Government of Lesotho with the implementation of SADC decisions related to constitutional, judiciary, legislative and Security Sector Reforms.

At the AU level, we participated in the process of finalising the issue of the Free Movement of Person in Africa, as well as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
Namibia will sign the CFTA once we finalise internal consultations.

The relevant legal instruments for this Flagship Project was signed on 21 SI March 2018, their which will mark beginning implementation.

Furthermore, the Financing, Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Strategy was adopted, as well as its institutional framework, and roadmap of its implementation.
deliberations closer the on of Furthermore, during Namibia's tenure as Chair of the AU Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of Agenda 2063 (2016/2018), the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Agenda 2063, which includes the core indicators and Indicator Handbook was adopted.

Indeed, the continued pursuit and prioritisation of the African Agenda is the priority focus of Namibia's foreign policy.
Thus, Namibia participated in the 29th and 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in July 2017, and January 2018.

The 30th Summit took important decisions about the critical issues of peace, stability and development, and also deliberated on the AU institutional reforms, which are critical to the realisation of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Namibia strongly supports the AU institutional reforms, as this is the best way to ensure that the African Union, its Commission, Organs and Agencies, are fit for the purpose, and are well equipped to deliver on the ambitious aspirations of the people of Africa, as spelt out in the continental development agenda.

The 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union also took a decision on the Establishment of a Single African Air Transport Market.
This is vital to the achievement of the long-term vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, under the AU Agenda 2063 and its Ten Year Implementation Plan.

It will bring about the enhance connectivity across the continent, leading to sustainable development of the aviation and tourism industry, with immense contribution to economic growth, job creation, prosperity and integration of Africa.

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With regard to infrastructure development, I would like to inform this August House that, Namibia joined the NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Champions Initiative during the AU Summit held in Addis Ababa in January this year.

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Furthermore, Namibia continued to support diplomatic mediation, conflict prevention and management, In this connection, and peace building efforts on the Continent.
Namibia hosted the 18th Meeting of the AU Panel ofthe Wise in Windhoek last month, under the Republic of Namibia.

Pohamba, Former President of H.E.

Hifikepunye the Chairmanship of community, Namibia's remains prominent, continuous participation Being a member of the international in the activities of the United Nations in our strive to promote peace, security and international cooperation.
As we are in the implementation year of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, it is that make a incumbent upon us that our input and intervention borders on aspects difference such as health, education and socio- economic development, and confronts emerging challenges posed by overwhelming migration, trafficking in persons and effects of climate changes.

in the lives of ordinary citizens, of has remains peace international become a fundamental and security.
However, and The UN Security Council and maintenance regional respectability representation.

As a member of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State (C-lO) on the reform of the UN Security Council, Namibia has and Government continued to actively participate in and promote and canvass support for the Common African Position, contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
organ in the promotion legitimacy its questionable, skewed current to its due Namibia remains committed dialogue on issues of mutual - EU Political dialogue.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation International Conference on African Development strategic in terms of promoting economic cooperation with the African Union.
to its relations with the EU and we continue to hold interest with our European partners through the Namibia and the Tokyo (TICAD) process, continue to gain and importance, investment dialogue, political Honorable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honorable Members 24.

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In line with our policy of prudent travel to include only attending statutory meetings, while our Ambassadors Commissioners important that we have taken to contribute to fiscal consolidation.
financial management, we have reduced essential and High It is interim measure to point out that this often comes at a cost; it is an important to attend such meetings.

increasingly are being delegated fast globalising Information is The world to change the conduct of diplomacy.

Against Communication Technology this background, the Ministry has standardised the websites of all our 34 Diplomatic Missions, with the intention of creating a uniform identity for the Namibian Missions.
continues emerging constant trends.

with 6 Honorable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honorable Members 26.

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We have a proposed total budget allocation of N$884,175,000 (Eight Hundred and Eighty Four Million, One hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Namibia Dollars) for the 2018119financial year.

14% of the total budget which is N$120,000,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Million Namibian Dollars) is earmarked for the development budget.
This amount will be utilised for capital projects at our diplomatic missions abroad and at headquarters.

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renovations of existing properties and acquisition of new ones.

The remaining 86% or N$764,175,000 (Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Million, One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Namibian Dollars) is allocated for the operational budget.

This amount will be utilised for the various programmes of the Ministry as follows: Programme 1: Regional and Bilateral Relations and Cooperation 29.

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An amount of N$28,435,000 (Twenty Eight Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Five Namibia Dollars) is allocated for this programme.

Namibia maintains diplomatic relations with 150 countries around the world.

Through these diplomatic relations, we seek to foster stronger political engagements, enhance and expand bilateral cooperation, promote trade and investment, tourism, and encourage peace and security and people-to-people contact.
Another essential aspect of this programme is to organize, host and coordinate Political and Diplomatic Consultations, as well as attending inbound and outbound Joint Commissions of Cooperation with other countries.

These Frameworks of Cooperation are all aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and further identifying potential areas of cooperation as set out in our National Development Plans.
Programme 2: Multilateral Policy Co-ordination With regard to this programme, a budget amount of N$76,437,000 (Seventy Six Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand Namibia Dollars) is allocated.

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At the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, we are compelled to participate at meetings and conferences to promote Namibia's interest and avoiding 7 32.

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During the 2018/2019 financial year, Namibia will participate in two AV Summits and related meetings (Executive Council and PRC), scheduled to take place in Mauritania in June/July, and in Addis Ababa, in January 2019 respectively.

Namibia is also expected to participate at the SADC Double Troika in April 2018, to take place in Angola, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM, which the 38th will be held from 19 - 20 April 2018 in London, VK.
Namibia will host Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, in August 2018, as a statutory obligation, and become Chair of SADC from August 2018 to August 2019. to We will also be participating in the UN General Assembly Sessions from September November 2018. in particular that may be called by the AV Chairperson, participate in FOCAC, which is scheduled Moreover, H.E.
the President, as the Chair of SADC would be expected to participate in in consultative meetings strategic Partnership Meetings, for should therefore be made to ensure September 2018.

Adequate budgetary provisions the successful of SADC.
Namibia will be expected tenure of Namibia's Chairmanship to also participate in the work of the AV Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of Agenda 2063, as the Committee's membership includes Chairperson of the eight (8) officially recognised RECs, which includes SADC.

The committee is expected to meet twice a year.

Four SADC countries, namely Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and the DRC, are expected to hold elections this year.
Namibia will observe these elections as part of the above have financial SADC Electoral Observation Mission.

All in implications on Namibia.

However, our participation order to ensure political stability in the SADC Region.

should be considered crucial the deployments in the person of H.E.
Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic, Namibia, is a member of the AV Committee of Ten Heads of State Champions on Education, Science and Technology in Africa, as well as the Committee of Ten on the Reform of the UN Security Council.

MIRCO will be required to assist H.E.

in carrying out the Ministry will participate in the work of the Board African those tasks.
In addition, Renewable Energy financial is mandated resources to enable the generation of large-scale renewable energy capacity for Africa, to deliver sufficient and secure energy supply for socio-economic and industrialisation.

(ARE!

), which the President development to mobilise Initiative of In the year 2000, during our Presidency the UN Security Council, Namibia introduced the agenda item on "Women, Peace and Security".
This agenda has brought about structural changes within the UN system, as it speaks towards ensuring equal participation efforts at all the African Union has established an Office of the AV Special levels.

Furthermore, Envoy is to which attached.


Namibia is also a founding member of the Focal Point Network (FPN) on of women and men in peace processes and development on Women, a Namibian Security, officer Peace and 8 Women, Peace and Security, and has committed to host the 3rd Focal Point Network meeting in 2019.

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Namibia became the Chair of the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) beginning 2018, and is due to host the annual IDEA meeting in November for Sustainable Development".

"Inclusive Democracy theme under 2018, the Programme 3: Protocol and Consular A proposed amount ofN$13 451000.00 (Thirteen Million Four Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Namibian Dollars) is allocated for this programme.

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Protocol and Consular Affairs is mandated with the responsibility of extending protocol and consular services to both Namibian and foreign dignitaries.

It also administers the extension of Privileges and Immunities to Diplomats, Consular Corps, members of the International and Regional Organisations, as well as to personnel accredited to the Republic of Namibia under Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements.

Last year during Vote 7 discussions, Hon.


Members raised concerns on the lack of knowledge on diplomatic protocol.

MIRCO has offered, to train diplomatic protocol at a cost of institutions such as Parliament, but so far, no single office has come up with a request.

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This programme consumes the biggest portion of the Ministry's budget, which is N$582 496 000.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Two Million Four Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Namibian Dollars), that has been allocated for the operational costs of our Missions abroad, in promoting and protecting our national interest.
Resources appropriated for this programme would be utilised to enhance the functions of the 34 Namibian Missions abroad, to carry out promotional activities, lease office and staff accommodation, pay remuneration to both home-based and locally recruited staff, payment of school fees and medical costs for staff and their dependents, maintenance of vehicles and equipment, to name a few.
The objectives of the Missions abroad are to protect in foreign countries the interests of the Republic of Namibia and its Nationals within the limits permitted by international law, and to promote friendly relations with the countries of their accreditation.

Through the pursuit of the policy of economic diplomacy, missions through among others promote trade, attract Foreign Direct (FDI) participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions.
Our diplomatic missions would be expected to convene relevant meetings to consult and articulate national and regional positions on pertinent issues.

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In addition, Missions performed consular activities including the issuance of visas.

During the year 2017/2018, visa revenues amounted to N$ 9,484482.89 (Nine Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Two Namibian Dollars and Eighty Nine Cents) was collected.

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An Amount of N$63 356 000.00 (Sixty Three Million Three Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand Namibian dollars) is proposed for this programme.

its Foreign Service if and when it continue to keep MIRCO can only professionalise for a abreast with constant changes Foreign Service is a unique, distinct and specialised entity all over the world, and should be recognised as such.

in the conduct of diplomacy.


This is essential, We have set ourselves and the goal of fully utilising Namibia's international organisations.

This is an effective platform to build the capacity of our people.

The impediment, however, has been a lack oflanguage proficiency.

Namibians themselves with other languages, especially UN are therefore encouraged to acquaint working languages.

quota at regional system cannot prosper without A Foreign Service contacts with headquarters.
One way of doing so is to regularise mission inspections and stock taking.

for regular updating of the working and living conditions of our These are essential missions, at the mission personnel.

as well as optimising and human resources the financial keeping close We have established successfully utilised the vast experience of retired ambassadors, and on international assignment, of Retired Ambassadors.
We have both at headquarters including reassigning some back to diplomatic service the Namibia Association The Ministry is also in the process of profiling all the Namibian diplomatic Missions functions.

The in the print media with the aim of raising awareness, campaign is geared towards the important work carried out by Namibian Missions.

The Mission profiles will also be placed on the Ministry's Website.
informing and educating the public about around their Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members 10 48. foreign service that tools.

In this context, is men A Clear policy needs to be accompanied by a professional in and women of high academic and patriotic caliber, supported by adequate resources, I wish to express my the form of finance, material and other former Deputy appreciation to Hon.
Dr Peya Mushelenga the new Deputy Ministers of MIRCO, I would also like to thank Ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh, Special Advisor, Minister.

the Permanent Secretary, and all the staff of the Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Ministry, I also wish to thank all the staff who have retired from the Ministry during the past financial year.

Their outstanding contribution to the work of the Ministry is highly valued.

and welcome Honorable Christine //Hoebes, for their hard work and dedication.

and Hon.
and Hon.

Maureen Hinda; Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members 49.

Now that I have presented to this August house an overview of the Ministry's activities, I count on your support (Eight Hundred and Eighty Four Million, One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Namibia Dollars), for the 2018119 financial year, to enable MIRCO fulfill to approve the total amount ofN$884,175,000 its mandate.

I THANK YOU.

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