Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commissioned Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
“As our representative, she has to advance, protect and safeguard our national interests within the framework of our Constitution, laws and other related national instruments and programmes. Article 32(3)(c) of the Namibian Constitution empowers the President, as Head of State and Government, to ‘appoint ambassadors, plenipotentiaries and other diplomatic representatives’ to represent Namibia abroad,” the President said.
The President highlighted the longstanding ties between Namibia and Switzerland, noting Switzerland’s important role in Namibia’s journey towards independence. She recalled that Switzerland hosted the 1981 pre-implementation talks in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, along with other negotiations related to Namibia’s independence.
Photos: Namibian Presidency.
“Switzerland also contributed a medical unit to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), leading to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435 on Namibia and, eventually, Namibia’s independence. Today, that history provides a strong foundation for further cooperation in trade and investment, tourism, education, research and innovation. Namibia and Switzerland have strengthened their economic and people-to-people ties through existing frameworks and improved connectivity,” she continued.
The President also explained that Namibia’s membership of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) provides an important economic link with Switzerland through the SACU–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) framework, which offers a foundation for expanding trade and economic cooperation.
“This relationship has been further enhanced by the commencement of the Zurich–Windhoek air service, which began in June 2026, providing greater convenience for travellers, supporting tourism and business exchanges, and creating new opportunities to strengthen people-to-people and commercial ties between our two countries,” she continued.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Nghipondoka-Robiati to build on the longstanding friendship between the two countries by identifying practical opportunities that can contribute to Namibia’s economic development and prosperity.
“Your responsibility is to strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Namibia and Switzerland and to advance our political, economic, commercial and developmental interests. You must identify opportunities that contribute meaningfully to the development of our country and translate the relationship into tangible cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, technology, knowledge transfer and development,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She directed Nghipondoka-Robiati to ensure that diplomatic engagement aligns with Namibia’s development agenda, as articulated in the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), with its overarching focus on fostering economic growth, inclusiveness and resilience for sustainable development. She highlighted wealth creation, improved equality and employment creation as key objectives.
She also noted that, as Permanent Representative in Geneva, Nghipondoka-Robiati’s mandate is multilateral and carries a distinct responsibility.
“Namibia’s commitment to multilateralism is rooted in our own history. Our independence was achieved through international solidarity and the collective efforts of the United Nations and the international community. We therefore understand that a rules-based multilateral system remains essential to a just, peaceful and cooperative international order. You must therefore uphold and strengthen Namibia’s commitment to multilateralism. In Geneva, ensure that Namibia participates actively, constructively and with purpose in the United Nations system, the WTO, WHO, the Human Rights Council and other Geneva-based institutions, while safeguarding and advancing our national interests,” the President said.
She urged Nghipondoka-Robiati to ensure that Namibia’s voice is constructive, principled and clearly heard, and that Namibia’s participation in the multilateral system creates opportunities for partnerships, technical cooperation, investment, knowledge and support for the country’s national development priorities.
“This appointment carries the confidence of the Namibian people. In discharging this mandate, we expect you to do so faithfully, guided at all times by the Constitution, the laws of Namibia, Cabinet decisions and the national interests of our people,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah added.
