Staff Reporter
President Hage Geingob is on his way to Europe where he will attend international summits and engage with world leaders on various global issues including green hydrogen.
First on the Namibian leader’s extensive agenda is Brest in France where the first edition of the One Ocean Summit is held.
The objective of the summit is to call up the international community to take tangible action towards the preservation of a healthy and sustainable ocean.
President Geingob has been a member of the Oceans Panel since 2018 and will deliver a statement regarding Namibia’s vision of Global governance of the Oceans, with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and the President of the Council of the European Union, H.E Charles Michel.
President Geingob will then go to Brussels in Belgium for the 6th African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Summit, which will take place from 17 to 18 February.
“The 2022 AU-EU Summit presents an opportunity for a renewed and deeper AU-EU partnership as African and European Leaders meet to determine joint priorities and better coordination for their common future,” the President’s spokesperson, Dr Alfredo Hengari, stated.
The 2022 AU-EU Summit aims to mobilize the international sector to support Africa’s economic recovery. The Summit will also focus on agriculture and sustainable development, financing post-covid-19 economic recovery in Africa, digital inclusion, peace and security, the ongoing pandemic and climate change.
President Geingob will also undertake engagements with various Heads of State and Government, including bilateral meetings with King Philippe of Belgium at the Royal Palace, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov of Bulgaria and Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands.
The President will also visit the Port of Antwerp, which is Europe’s second largest seaport, with Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. This comes after an addendum to the existing memorandum of understanding on energy and green hydrogen between Namibia and Belgium is anticipated to be signed.
In addition, President Geingob will undertake a guided tour of the world’s first green hydrogen refueling station, CMB.TECH H2 Refueling Station in Antwerp, and visit the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
President Geingob has also requested to serve as Chair of Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), following the departure of the former President of the Republic of Guinea, H.E Alpha Conde.
