Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has secured a senior international diplomatic position with the appointment of Ambassador Dr Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus as Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), where she will serve as the organisation’s second-highest-ranking official.
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade announced that Kaapanda-Girnus assumed office on 25 July 2026, describing the appointment as a recognition of Namibia’s expertise, integrity and commitment to global peace and disarmament.
The OPCW is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force in 1997 and oversees efforts by its 193 member states to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons worldwide.
The Ministry said the appointment of a Namibian to the senior position within the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation represents a significant honour for the country and reflects the international community’s confidence in Namibia’s role as a responsible and constructive global partner.
Kaapanda-Girnus brings more than 17 years of experience in diplomacy, foreign policy and international law to the position.
She previously served as Namibia’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as Head of Mission to the European Union, from January 2021 to September 2025. During this period, she also served as Namibia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW.
Before entering diplomacy, Kaapanda-Girnus lectured in public international law and human rights at the University of London.
She holds a Doctorate in International Law from the University of Cambridge, a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto, and first-class honours degrees in Law and Politics from the University of Adelaide.
The Ministry congratulated Kaapanda-Girnus on her appointment, saying it aligns with Namibia’s efforts to ensure that its citizens take up leadership roles in multilateral organisations.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and its support for the OPCW’s mandate to uphold the global prohibition of chemical weapons and promote international peace and security.
Photo: OPCW
