Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for stronger international action to advance the Right to Development and place ocean protection at the centre of global climate and development efforts, highlighting the need for greater climate finance, respect for international law and stronger international cooperation.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call while addressing a High-Level Meeting of the 81st United Nations General Assembly commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The meeting was presided over by the President of the 81st General Assembly, Dr Khalilur Rahman, and featured opening remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
Nandi-Ndaitwah said development, human rights, climate justice, sovereignty and international cooperation were closely linked and called for renewed international efforts to translate the Right to Development into tangible progress.
She stressed that there is an “undeniable link” between the level of development of States and their ability to respond to the consequences of climate change, calling for the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities to be implemented.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said polluters must provide financial assistance for early warning, adaptation and climate resilience, without hampering the development of States pursuing net-zero targets.
She also linked the Right to Development to sovereignty and international law, saying foreign occupation, conflict, denial of self-determination and unilateral coercive measures can undermine States’ ability to meet the socio-economic needs of their people. She specifically referred to Palestine, Western Sahara and Cuba in this context.
The President further argued that human rights and the Right to Development are “inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing”, and called for renewed multilateral efforts to create an enabling environment for all States to pursue development.
She further called for continued efforts to turn the Declaration on the Right to Development into meaningful action, including consideration of a legally binding instrument on the Right to Development.
On the 40th anniversary, she warned that the Right to Development would remain abstract unless the sovereignty of States was respected and countries had the tools to develop and sustain the livelihoods of their citizens.
On the margins of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Nandi-Ndaitwah also joined fellow leaders of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy for its annual meeting in New York.
Held under the theme “Ocean–Climate Leadership on the Road to COP31”, the meeting was convened at the UAE Permanent Mission at the joint invitation of the Prime Minister of Norway and the President of Palau.
The meeting focused on protecting marine ecosystems while supporting livelihoods, food security and sustainable development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the Benguela Current, one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems and an important source of jobs, food and export earnings for Namibia and the wider region.
She said ocean warming and shifting fish stocks demonstrated the need for greater attention to marine ecosystems in the global climate response.
Looking ahead to COP31, she called for stronger recognition of marine ecosystem loss and for financing that coastal countries can access to build resilience.
The President also outlined Namibia’s work on a Sustainable Blue Economy Policy and marine spatial planning.
She highlighted cooperation with Angola and South Africa under the Benguela Current Convention as an example of countries working together to manage a shared marine ecosystem.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the ocean must be central to climate and development policy, supported by the finance and capacity needed to translate commitments into action.
