Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA is considering joining the United Nations (UN) Treaty on the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
This was one of the topics Dr Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, highlighted at the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which took place this past weekend in Sochi, Russia.
“Namibia’s 2021 Space Science and Technology Policy aligns with the UN Treaty on the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Although our country is currently not a Member State of this Convention, we are actively considering membership. We welcome cooperation with African states and the Russian Federation in this regard,” Mushelenga said.
In addition to discussions around peaceful space exploration, Mushelenga revealed that the forum addressed economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, and the creation of a fair, equitable international information security system.
“Economic cooperation is essential for growth, especially during this era of the rise of the Global South. Therefore, Russia and Africa should promote economic partnerships to boost our mutual prosperity. Investment and trade volumes should increase to create more jobs for our peoples, including through the African Continental Free Trade Area, the world’s largest free-trade area,” the minister said.
Mushelenga also drew attention to biases in the global financial and economic systems that disadvantage developing countries, stressing the need for reforms rooted in equity and fairness. He also drew attention to the terrorist activities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting that Namibia will work with the Russian Federation and fellow African countries to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
“We must not forget the people of Sudan and Palestine, including women and children, who have suffered for far too long. Thousands of innocent civilian lives have been lost, and the international community has an important role to play in ending the killings. We therefore call for immediate ceasefires and for sustained peace talks,” the minister added.
Mushelenga also advocated for future Russia-Africa partnership events to be held in coordination with the African Union (AU) to ensure representation from all African nations.
“Western Sahara has been excluded from this current Partnership, which does not support African unity. Moreover, holding such a forum in partnership with the African Union would ensure continuity and follow-up on decisions taken. This First Foreign Ministers’ Meeting should therefore set a standard and encourage the full participation of all AU Member States in all sectoral meetings,” he said.
