Namibia commits to preserving forests

President Nangolo Mbumba has emphasised Namibia’s readiness to collaborate with the international community to restore and protect forests.

Mbumba was speaking at a conference discussing strategies to tackle deforestation, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, last week.

“Namibia stands ready to collaborate with the international community to restore and protect forests for the benefit of its people and the African continent as a whole,” he said.

He emphasised climate change as the most significant challenge to Namibia’s pursuit of sustainable development.

Mbumba emphasised the value of trees as organic carbon sinks in reducing the effects of climate change, as well as the many advantages of forests, including their ecological, economic and social benefits.

He also stressed the vital role that afforestation and reforestation play in promoting sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

Mbumba underscored the vulnerability of Namibia’s resource-dependent primary sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, which are critical to the nation’s economic well-being.

“There is strong support for the forthcoming adoption of a declaration and strategy aimed at bolstering international cooperation on African afforestation and reforestation efforts. I believe this is a positive development for Africa and the global community,” he said.

Mbumba reaffirmed Namibia’s unwavering support for the proposed 10-Year Global Strategic Framework for Afforestation and Reforestation (2025-2034) and the commitments outlined in the Declaration of the First International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation.

The conference was convened by president Denis Sassou Nguesso, and brought together over 2 000 participants, including heads of state, government ministers, representatives from international organisations, the scientific community, private sector entities, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

The three-day conference focused on establishing a comprehensive strategy to combat deforestation and promote large-scale tree planting initiatives. A key outcome is the adoption of the Global Afforestation and Reforestation Strategy that outlines a multi-pronged approach.