Staff Reporter
MONICA Geingos, the 3rd First Lady of Namibia, concluded a productive trip to Boston and New York, where she attended the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program in Boston as a special guest, co-hosted a youth-focused side event, delivered several presentations at high-level engagements on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), and participated in her newly appointed capacity as a United Nations Global SDG Advocate.
Geingos began her high-level engagements on the sidelines of UNGA79 by participating as a keynote speaker in the Summit of the Future Action Days side event, co-convened by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).
The “Building Foresight Competencies and Networks to Empower Youth in Africa” event aimed to equip young Africans with the insight needed to influence policy and contribute meaningfully to the Pact for the Future. In her address, Geingos underscored the pivotal role of youth-led technological enterprises, the necessity for collaboration between government and the private sector to alleviate youth unemployment, and the importance of intergenerational equity. She also highlighted Namibia’s green hydrogen initiatives as exemplary models of sustainable development.
The day continued with Geingos’ participation in the Summit of the Future Action Days, specifically at a side event held at the UN headquarters titled “Building Foresight Competencies and Networks to Empower Youth in Africa,” co-hosted by the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, UNFPA, and the One Economy Foundation, where she serves as Executive Chairperson. In 2017, One Economy Foundation hosted a “Be Free” intergenerational dialogue in Harlem, New York, making this high-level side event a full-circle moment for the non-profit.
During her panel engagement, Geingos highlighted the Be Free Youth Campus as a scalable and comprehensive youth development model that provides integrated, non-judgmental services for young people. She emphasized how listening to young people and forming effective partnerships has been key to its success. She concluded by noting that developmental models thrive when strategies are implemented based on consultation and local needs.
Geingos wrapped up her engagements on September 20 by attending the SDG Advocates Dinner, convened by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and hosted by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians. The dinner focused on global progress in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On September 22, Mrs. Geingos delivered a compelling address at the Mastercard Foundation event, “Invincible: Empowering Women.” She highlighted the stark reality that 1 in 4 African teenagers become mothers before the age of 18. Half of the world’s teenagers are either mothers, out of school, or have experienced sexual violence by the age of 19. She stressed the economic impact of these statistics and the importance of male engagement to ensure gender-specific interventions address the unique challenges faced by both girls and boys.
On September 24, Geingos participated as a distinguished panellist at the GE Foundation event titled “Achieving SDG 3: Advancing Maternal and Child Health in Emerging Economies.” She shared the platform with notable figures such as Elie Chaillot, President & CEO of GE HealthCare International; John Schaeffler, Executive Director of Global Affairs & Policy at GE HealthCare Foundation; Ash Rogers, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Lwala Community Alliance; Millicent Miruka, Community Health Worker at Lwala Community Alliance; and Sanjeev Arora, Founder of Project ECHO.
In her remarks, Geingos highlighted Namibia’s progress in reducing child mortality, noting a decrease in the under-five mortality rate from 48 to 20 per 1,000 live births since 2017, and a reduction in maternal mortality from 385 to 145 per 100,000 live births, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Social Services from 2018 to 2021. She attributed this success to political will, strong leadership at the Ministry, and a proactive approach in addressing areas where data indicated problems.
On September 26, Mrs. Geingos attended the High-Level Dinner on the Prohibition of Child Marriage, hosted by H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and attended by President Julius Maada Bio and other high-level dignitaries. During the event, she commended President Maada Bio’s leadership in advancing grassroots advocacy efforts in Sierra Leone.
Despite a heavy schedule, Mrs. Geingos concluded a constructive visit, with event hosts covering her travel and accommodation expenses. Her active participation in several high-level events highlights her transition into global advocacy, particularly as an SDG advocate.
