_______________________________________________________________________________________________
15th July 2015 - Laying down of wreaths by Markus Meckel
While visiting Namibia from 15 July - 19 July 2015 in order to hold public lectures at UNAM and DHPS, Mr Markus Meckel in his capacity as President of the German War Graves Commission, lay wreaths at the Swakopmund Memorial Park Cemetery and at the grave of the Herero Chief Samuel Maharero in Okahandja.
In addition, Mr Meckel attended the unveiling of a plaque at the "All Believers House of Prayers" in Ombujomumbonde. This project was financially supported through the micro-project fund of the German Embassy. The "All Believers House of Prayers" brings together people from different denominations and offers the local communities a place to pray together as well as a venue to organise community events.
Dates and Venues:
17 July 2015: 10:00 Swakopmund Memorial Park Cemetery, Kramersdorf, laying down of wreath
18 July 2015: approx. 9:00 Okahandja, grave of the Herero Chief Samuel Maharero, laying down of wreath
19 July 2015: 10:00-13:00 Unveiling of the plaque and inauguration of the "All Believers House of Prayers" in Ombujomumbonde
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
9th July 2015 - International DFB Coaching Course - Namibian football coach recieves his DFB B-License sports equipment
On 7 July 2015, Ace Komeya, the Namibian Football Association (NFA) coach for women's and girls' football received a coaching certificate from the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy Ullrich Kinne. He received the B-License of the German Football Association (DFB) after having successfully completed a three-week International Coaching Course organised by the DFB in Hennef, Germany, in September/October 2014.
Also present was Klaus Stärk, German long-term soccer expert seconded to the Namibian Football Association and at the same time Technical Director of the NFA.
The International Coaching Course in Hennef is part of a programme organised jointly by the DFB and the Federal Foreign Office. The training courses have proven to be effective in developing coaching skills. In the previous years, Jacky Shipanga, head coach of the National Women's team and Gerald Günther, "Eleven Arrows" coach from Swakopmund had taken part in the courses.
Ace Komeya was especially impressed by the excellent conditions under which football is played in Germany and the manifold football clubs. "In Namibia there are only a few clubs, and it would be nice if the successful club system could also be established in Namibia", said Tataati.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
30th June 2015 - Change of Command of the Bundeswehr Technical Advisory Group
f. l.t.r. Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller, Ambassador Onno Hückmann (German Embassy), Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch. (© German Embassy Windhoek)
On the 25 June 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch took over the command of the Technical Advisory Group of the German Armed Forces in Namibia (GAFTAG) from his predecessor Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller. Ambassador Onno Hückmann honoured the achievements of Lieutenant Colonel Moeller und emphasized successful projects such as the" Mobile Field Hospital UN Level II" and the Motor Vehicle Training Workshop, Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) – Level. He also praised the efficient co-operation with the Namibian Defence Force, who also contribute financially to all the projects.
Ambassador Hückmann said that the Namibian Defense Force has performed impeccably whenever it participated in regional peacekeeping and stabilisation operations. The mission of GAFTAG is to enhance Namibia's capacity to contribute to peace and stability in Africa even better. He encouraged the Namibian partners to make good use of these capabilities and to become an example of regional responsibility.
The decisions of the latest AU Summit bode well for the future of the African Standby Force. Namibia could play a leading role in the buildup of the Rapid Deployable Capabilities foreseen in the framework of the African Standby Force. GAFTAG and the German Government remain committed to accompany Namibia on this path.
The Deputy Military Attachée from Pretoria, Lieutenant Colonel Hopper, (in the general staff service) read out greetings and words of thanks from Colonel Selbert, Deputy Commander of the German Army School for Technical Land Systems and Head of the German Advisory Group Namibia.
After almost seven years in Namibia, Lieutenant Colonel Moeller is now following a posting to NATO in Turkey. His successor, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch, received best wishes for his new command and for the implementation of present projects.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Germany supports renewable energy in Namibia
Jun 29, 2015; German Information Centre Africa
Namibian Finance Minister, Hon Calle Schlettwein, and German Ambassador Onno Hückmann; signing with Mrs. Hildebrandt (third right) (© German Embassy Windhoek)
Namibia's Minister of Finance Hon. Calle Schlettwein and the German Ambassador Onno Hückmann, signed an intergovernmental agreement on Financial Cooperation between the Republic of Namibia and the Federal Republic of Germany for a loan of 45 million Euro (approx. 609 million NAD) for the energy sector.
The preferential loan will be used to finance projects on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Namibia through NamPower. The main objective of the programme is to ensure stable and reliable power supply for Namibia in the short- and medium-term and to support a sustainable long-term power mix consisting of renewable and fossil elements. Both approaches are flanked by initiatives to increase energy efficiency.
Specific projects to be funded through the programme are the rehabilitation of three turbines at the Ruacana hydro power plant and the construction of transmission lines from Gerus to Otjikoto and Kuiseb to Walvis Bay.
About 8 million Euro (approx. 108 million NAD) are allocated for Demand Side Management. This will include NamPower's initiative to exchange one million light bulbs in households with energy-saving LED's free of charge and a programme to subsidize the replacement of 20,000 traditional warm-water geysers with energy-efficient solar water heaters.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Hückmann emphasized that: "Energy is an enabler for economic growth. The agreement signed today will play a vital role in reducing the dependency on power imports, supporting Namibia's promising economic development and transformation into a modern diversified economy."
___________________________________________________________________________________
18th June 2015 - H.E. President Hage Geingob receives Ambassador Hückmann for courtesy call 
Courtesy Call by Ambassador Onno Hückmann on H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia (© German Embassy Windhoek) On 18 June 2015 H.E. Onno Hückmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Namibia, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia at the State House in Windhoek. During this courtesy call, Ambassador Hückmann handed over a letter from H.E, Professor Dr. Horst Köhler, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Ambassador Hückmann thanked the Namibian side for the very good cooperation during the last three years. H.E. President Dr. Geingob advocated for a further intensification and expansion of the good relations.
___________________________________________________________________________________
German investment in Namibia on agenda during delegation visit
Jun 17, 2015; German Information Centre Africa
Delegation in front of the Brandenburger Gate and visiting a Bio-Mass Power Station (© German Embassy Windhoek)
A high-ranking delegation from Namibia visited Germany from June 8-12, 2015 upon the invitation Germany's Federal Government and Parliament to explore possible contributions of German investment to Namibia's economic development.
In Berlin, the delegation met various members of Parliament responsible for economic and business issues, as well as those dealing specifically with the southern African region. They also met with leading Foreign Ministry officials responsible for sub-Saharan Africa, as well as political leaders at the state level.
Specifically, the MPs visited were: Dagmar Freitag, Chairperson (and other members) of the SADC Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament, Dr. Peter Ramsauer, Chairman (and other members) of the German Federal Parliament's Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy, Brigitte Zypries, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, and Peter Silberhorn, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The delegation met with Mr Markus Ederer, State Secretary and Ambassador Georg Schmidt, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel, both at the Federal Foreign Office.
In the federal state of Hesse, the delegation met the Speaker of the Assembly of the State of Hesse, the Honourable Norbert Kartmann, Mr Mark Weinmeister, State Secretary for Europe at the State Chancellery of Hesse, and Members of the Committee on European and International Affairs of the Assembly of the State of Hesse.
The delegation visited KfW, the German development bank, as well as a biomass power plant and a business park. They also met representatives of individual companies such as the logistics companies Schenker and DB International, Rolls Royce and Merck.
The Namibian delegation, was headed by Hon. Tom ALWEENDO, Minister of Economic Planning and Director General of the National Planning Commission, and included the following: Hon. Peya MUSHELENGA - Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Martin INKUMBI, CEO, Development Bank of Namibia, Mr Immanuel MWILIMA, Executive Director, Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), Mr Bisey UIRAB, CEO, NAMPORT and Chairman of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Mr Tarah SHAANIKA, CEO, Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Mr Hippy TJIVIKUA, Acting CEO, TRANSNAMIB, and Mr Erwin NAIMHWAKA, Special Adviser, Ministry of Economic Planning and National Planning Commission.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Parlamentariergruppe SADC-Staaten zu Gesprächen nach Südafrika, Botsuana und Namibia
Pressemitteilung, Bundestag, 19.05.2015 
Vom 26. Mai bis 7. Juni 2015 wird eine Delegation der Parlamentariergruppe der Entwicklungsgemeinschaft des südlichen Afrika (kurz: SADC) unter Leitung der Vorsitzenden der Parlamentariergruppe, Dagmar Freitag (SPD), Südafrika, Botsuana und Namibia besuchen. Die weiteren Delegationsmitglieder sind: Frank Heinrich (CDU/CSU), Veronika Bellmann (CDU/CSU), Ingrid Pahlmann (CDU/CSU), Steffen-Claudio Lemme (SPD) und Tabea Rößner (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN).
SADC Parliamentary group at a meeting with Bishop Zephania Kameeta, Minister für Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare together with Ambassador Hückmann. (© German Embassy)
Die Delegation traf in Johannesburg und Kapstadt (Südafrika), Gaborone (Botsuana) und Windhuk (Namibia) mit Parlamentariern zusammentreffen, um bestehende bilaterale parlamentarische Kontakte zu vertiefen. Dabei werden insbesondere Gespräche zu den Themen gesamtwirtschaftliche Entwicklung, Demokratie, Gesundheitswesen, Bildung und berufliche Ausbildung geführt. Einen weiteren Schwerpunkt bilden Gespräche mit den jeweiligen Regierungsvertretern über die Themen Energie- und Umweltpolitik sowie der Entwicklung eines nachhaltigen Tourismus in der Region. In diesem Zusammenhang soll auch die Rolle der Entwicklungsgemeinschaft des südlichen Afrika (SADC) aus der Perspektive der jeweils teilnehmenden Länder sowie der Stand des Integrationsprozesses der SADC erörtert werden.
In allen drei Ländern werden zudem Treffen mit Abgeordneten der jeweiligen Oppositionsfraktionen sowie vor Ort ansässigen deutschen Unternehmen und mit Vertretern der Zivilgesellschaft, der Wissenschaft und politischen Stiftungen stattfinden.
also check here: Delegation from German Bundestag Pays Visit to Namibian National Representatives
and here: 15th June 2015 - Delegation of the German Parliament hands over Sports Equipment to the Namibia Paralympic Committee and "Auf Ballhöhe": "The handing-over took place in the framework of the "German Weeks 2015" and was attended by the SADC Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth and National Services, Hon. Agnes Tjongarero, the Deputy Head of the German Embassy Ullrich Kinne as well as representatives of the Namibia Paralympics Committee, Paralympic athletes, and organiser and participants from primary schools in Katutura taking part in the "Auf Ballhöhe" football project. Hon. Dagmar Freitag, MP, head of the SADC Parliamentary Group, officially handed over the substantial amount of sports equipment, which was funded by the German Embassy to the tune of 100.000,00 N$. She was pleased that this donation was a concrete result of the visit by the Sports Delegation of the German Parliament last year and said: "We are delighted that so much can be achieved with relatively modest means."
__________________________________________________________________________
Bundespräsident a.D. Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler besuchte Namibia
Vom 20. bis zum 22. März 2015 vertrat Bundespräsident a.D. Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler die Bundesrepublik Deutschland bei den Feierlichkeiten zum 25. Unabhängigkeitstag Namibias, zur Amtseinführung des neuen Staatspräsidenten Namibias Dr. Hage Geingob und Verabschiedung des scheidenden Präsidenten Hifikepunye Pohamba sowie zum Jahrestag der Aufnahme deutsch-namibischer diplomatischer Beziehungen. Prof. Dr. Köhler bei der offiziellen Eröffnung der "Deutschen Wochen 2015"
Der ehemalige Bundespräsident Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler (links) und Onno Hückmann, Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (rechts) während der offiziellen Eröffnung der "Deutschen Wochen 2015" (© Deutsche Botschaft Windhuk)
Bereits am Flughafen wurde Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler von Vize-Innenminister Dr. Elia Kaiyamo und der Staatssekretärin des Außenministeriums, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, begrüßt. Bei der offiziellen Eröffnung der „Deutschen Wochen 2015" am 20. März 2015 im Goethe-Zentrum warnte er vor dem Vergessen der deutsch-namibischen Geschichte, forderte aber gleichzeitig zur Versöhnung auf.
Während seines dreitägigen Aufenthalts in Namibia konnte sich Prof. Dr. Köhler ein umfassendes Bild von Land und Leuten machen. Am 20. Und 21. März hatte er Begegnungen mit Jugendlichen, Geschäftsleuten, der deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft und der Zivilgesellschaft. Er besuchte das Nationalmuseum, die Christuskirche und alte Feste. Besuch Prof. Dr. Köhler
Der ehemalige Bundespräsident Prof. Dr. Köhler während seines Besuchs auf der Umsiedlungsfarm Welgemoed (© Deutsche Botschaft Windhuk)
Am 22. März besuchte Prof. Dr. Köhler in Begleitung der Staatssekretärin im Ministerium für Landreform die Umsiedlungsfarm Welgemoed südwestlich von Windhuk, um sich einen Eindruck von den Erfolgen der deutschen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit in Namibia zu machen.
Seinen Rückflug am Sonntagabend trat der ehemalige Bundespräsident mit dem Versprechen an, Namibia noch einmal zu besuchen – dann aber zusammen mit seiner Gattin und mehr Zeit zum Reisen.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Namibian-German Government Consultations 2015
(From l. to r.) Alois Schneider, Head of the German Delegation, Onno Hückmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Andries Levi Hungamo, Permanent Secretary of the National Planning Commission and Willem Goeiemann, Chief: National Development Advice, National Planning Commission (© German Embassy Windhoek)
This year's Consultations on Development Cooperation took place on the 17 and 18 of February 2015 in Windhoek. The consultations were opened jointly by the Permanent Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Mr. Andries Levi Hungamo, the German Ambassador, Mr. Onno Hückmann, and the Head of the German Delegation, Mr. Alois Schneider. Permanent Secretary Hungamo in his opening statement acknowledged the important support that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is rendering by supporting crucial development projects, as stated in NDP 4. Ambassador Hückmann as well as Mr. Schneider confirmed that Germany will remain a reliable partner despite Namibia's status as upper middle income country.
During the consultations, both parties confirmed the three focal areas of the cooperation based on Vision 2030 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). The three areas are: The management of natural resources, sustainable economic development and transport.
Due to the major threat posed by the further spread of HIV/AIDS, HIV prevention is a cross-cutting theme of bilateral cooperation. Additionally, Germany supports the Namibian government in mitigating climate change and improving energy security by promoting renewable energy sources and reducing the dependence on electricity import.
Both sides praised the constructive and cooperative working environment and highlighted the numerous concrete successes of Namibian-German development cooperation. The main goal of the German-Namibian development cooperation remains the fight against poverty and inequality.
Both governments confirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special partnership and friendship between the two countries. This is also reflected in the scale of German development funding (the highest per capita input in Africa). Since Namibian independence, official development assistance amounts to more than Euro 800 million (more than N$ 9 billion). This is complemented by the cooperation and funding under the framework of the European Union, the African Union, the SADC and other multi-lateral organisations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria or the African Development Bank.
The 25 year anniversary of development cooperation will also be celebrated with numerous events in the framework of the Namibian-German development cooperation.
The next bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation are planned for the end of 2015 in Berlin.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sportausschuss zu Gesprächen nach Sambia, Südafrika und Namibia
Eine Delegation des Sportausschusses des Deutschen Bundestages reist vom 19.-27.10.2014 nach Sambia (Lusaka), Südafrika (Kapstadt) und Namibia (Windhuk), um Sportentwicklungsprojekte zu besuchen, die z.T. aus Mitteln des Auswärtigen Amtes oder des BMZ finanziert werden oder angestoßen worden sind. In Namibia sind dies das Frauenfußball-Langzeitprojekt, die Basketball-Artist-School, die aus dem 2013 beendeten Basketball-Langzeitprojekt hervorgegangen ist, und das FIFA-Football for Hope Center Windhoek. In Sambia besucht die Delegation das Olympic Youth Development Center, in Südafrika das Amandla Edufootball-Projekt im Township Khayelitsha.
Abseits des Sports sind Besuche eines Frauenprojektes zur Einkommensgenerierung in Sambia und einer mobilen HIV-Klinik in Namibia geplant.
Der interparlamentarische Austausch ist weiterer Schwerpunkt der Reise; die Delegation kommt in allen Ländern mit Parlamentariern und Regierungsmitgliedern zusammen. In Sambia sind Gespräche mit dem Minister für Sport und Jugend, dem Parlamentssprecher und dem Parlamentskomitee Sport und Jugend geplant, in Südafrika mit Mitglieder der Nationalversammlung und der Stadtverwaltung Kapstadts. In Namibia trifft die Delegation Vertreter des Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture und Mitglieder des Committee for Human Resources, Social and Community Development.
Weitere Gesprächspartner sind Vertreter der Sportorganisationen, u.a. des Nationalen Olympischen und Paralympischen Komitees Sambias und Namibias, des Leichtathletikverbandes in Sambia, des Fußballverbandes Namibias und des World Anti Doping Regional Office Africa in Südafrika.
Treffen mit Vertretern der Zivilgesellschaft und der Wissenschaft finden u.a. mit der GIZ, der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, dem Goethe Zentrum, der Namibisch-Deutschen Stiftung für kulturelle Zusammenarbeit, dem Namibian Institute for Democracy, dem Womans Leadership Centers und der Sportwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Stellenbosch statt.
Unter Leitung der Vorsitzenden des Sportausschusses, Dagmar Freitag (SPD), nehmen an dieser Reise die Abgeordneten Stephan Mayer (CDU/CSU), Dieter Stier (CDU/CSU), Michaela Engelmeier (SPD), Özcan Mutlu (Bündnis90/Die Grünen) und Dr. André Hahn (Die Linke.) teil.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Haushaltsausschuss nach Namibia
Vom 7. bis zum 10. Juli 2014 stattete eine Delegation des Haushaltsausschusses des Deutschen Bundestages in Begleitung von Mitgliedern des Bundesverteidigungsministeriums und des Auswärtigen Amtes Namibia einen offiziellen Besuch ab. Die Delegation wurde von der Abgeordneten Doris Barnett geleitet.
Ziel des Besuchs war die Bewertung der im Rahmen der Ausstattungshilfe umgesetzten Projekte, die von der Bundesregierung finanziell unterstützt und von der Bundeswehrberatergruppe in Zusammenarbeit mit der Namibia Defence Force (NDF) umgesetzt werden. Namibia ist eines der wenigen afrikanischen Länder, die von deutscher Ausstattungshilfe profitieren. Seit beginn des Programms im Jahr 1992 wurde ein Gesamtbudget in Höhe von 23,2 Millionen Euro von der Bundesregierung für das Programm zur Verfügung gestellt. Die namibische Regierung beteiligt sich an allen Projekten. Das aktuelle Abkommen läuft bis 2016 und wurde 2013 unterzeichnet. Es sieht Mittel in Höhe von 3,2 Millionen Euro vor.
Die Delegation traf sich mit hochrangigen Vertretern der Namibischen Regierung wie dem Verteidigungsminister Nahas Angula, dem Sprecher der Nationalversammlung Dr. Theo- Ben Gurirab, dem Fraktionsvorsitzenden der SWAPO Prof. Peter Katjavivi, sowie dem Haushaltsausschuss und dem Auswärtigen- und Verteidigungsausschuss des Namibischen Parlaments zu Gesprächen.
Anschließend informierte sich die Delegation über die Projekte der Bundeswehr Beratergruppe. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde das Mobile Feldlazarett UN- Level II, eine Kfz-Ausbildungswerkstatt und Fahrschule in Okahandja und die Munitionsvernichtungsanlage in Walvis Bay besucht. Der Besuch stärkte weiterhin die exzellenten Beziehungen zwischen Deutschland und Namibia.
Pressemitteilung des Deutschen Bundestages, 04.07.2014
Eine Delegation des Haushaltsausschusses des Deutschen Bundestages reist vom 6.-11.Juli 2014 nach Namibia, um dort die Wirksamkeit des im Bundeshaushalt vorgesehenen Ausstattungshilfeprogramms der Bundesregierung zu überprüfen. Teilnehmer sind die Abgeordneten Doris Barnett (SPD), Alois Karl (CDU/CSU), Bartholomäus Kalb (CDU/CSU), Karin Evers-Meyer (SPD), Katrin Kunert (DIE LINKE.) und Dr. Tobias Lindner (BÜ90/GR)
Die Delegation wird unter anderem das Projekt "Mobile Field Hospital" besuchen, mit dem der Aufbau von nationalen und regionalen/subregionalen Peacekeeping-Fähigkeiten im Rahmen der Southern African Development Community (SADC) und der African Union (AU) unterstützt wird, und sich über den Fortgang beim Aufbau einer Munitionsvernichtungsanlage informieren. Namibia hat in den vergangenen Jahren umfangreiche materielle Ausstattungshilfe erhalten.
Auf dem Programm stehen außerdem Gespräche mit Repräsentanten laufender Projekte der deutschen Ausstattungshilfe und politische Gespräche mit ranghohen Regierungsvertretern wie Premierminister Hage Geingob, Parlamentspräsidenten Dr. Ben Gurirab und Verteidigungsminister Nahas Angula. Weitere Treffen sind mit Angehörigen der namibischen Armee geplant.
Die Abgeordneten nutzen den Aufenthalt in Namibia auch dazu, sich über den Stand laufender Projekte der deutsch-namibischen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit zu informieren.
Gäste des Ausschusses für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (AWZ) am 14.03.2014: Gespräch mit dem Botschafter der Republik Namibia in Deutschland, S.E. Neville Gertze und dem Botschafter der Republik Namibia in Brüssel, S.E. Hanno Rumpf, über den Stand der EPA-Verhandlungen zwischen der SADC-EPA Gruppierung und der EU-Kommission
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2013 Namibian-German Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation
The negotiations on development cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany ended on 22 November 2013. Both Governments reaffirmed their main objectives of the development cooperation as to support the Namibian Government in its efforts to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure and the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as to foster sustainable economic development. The Namibian-German cooperation is aligned with the goals of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4). The negotiations were held in a very friendly and open atmosphere and were characterized by intensive, transparent, and fruitful discussions.
1st photo left: (f.l.t.r.) Onno Hückmann (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Namibia), Alois Schneider (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), Willem Goeiemann (Chief National Development Advice of the National Planning Commission), and Neville Gertze (Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia in Germany) (© German Embassy Windhoek)
2nd photo right: Enlarge image Alois Schneider from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (l.) and Chief National Development Advice of the National Planning Commission, Willem Goeiemann (r.) (© German Embassy Windhoek)
The Namibia delegation was led by the Chief: National Development Advice at the National Planning Commission (NPC), Mr. Willem Goeiemann whereas the delegation of Federal Republic of Germany was headed by Mr. Alois Schneider, who is in charge of the Division for Southern Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In attendance was H.E. Mr. Onno Hückmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Namibia, H.E. Mr. Neville Gertze, the Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the Federal Republic of Germany and other high ranking officials.
For more information, click here to download the Joint Press Release.
Other Related Documents:
Statement by the Head of the Negotiation Delegation – NPC
Opening Statement by the German Head of Delegation
Opening Statement by German Ambassador
Closing statement by the Namibian Ambassador
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA, BERLIN
27 MAY 2011
BERLIN- On the occasion of the biennial government negotiations between the Republic of Namibia and the Federal Republic of Germany, Hon. Tom Alweendo, Director General of the National Planning Commission led the Namibian delegation to Germany from 23-27 May 2011.
The negotiations were held in a cordial spirit and reinforced the commitment of the two governments to strengthen cooperation in three focal sectors, namely natural resources management, sustainable economic development and transport. The Director General also visited projects in the renewable energy and tourism sectors.
At the conclusion of the negotiations Hon. Alweendo met with Hon. Dirk Niebel, the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Hon Niebel informed his counterpart that Germany recognizes its historic responsibility towards Namibia and pledged his country's commitment to continue implementing a friendly development policy between the two countries.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAMIBIAN-GERMAN SPECIAL INITIATIVE PROGRAMME (NGSIP)
About NGSIP
The Namibian-German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP) was conceptualized and designed by the Government of the Republic of Namibia in 2006. H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba instructed then Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Libertina Amadhila, to consult communities that had suffered during the German colonial period on how best to utilize a sum of Euros 20 million (then approximately N$ 200 million) which the German Government had granted towards improving the social and economic living programme design conditions of those communities.
Honorable Peter Katjavivi, MP – Namibian Parliament, H.E. Onno Huckmann, German Ambassador to Namibia, and Ms Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, MP – German Parliament, with beneficiaries of NGSIP goats, Otjimbingwe, Karibib Constituency, Erongo region
The result was a uniquely participatory rural development programme with more than 200 small and medium scale projects identified and managed by the selected communities. These communities are amongst the most disadvantaged in the country in terms of access to economic and social welfare resources. They are located in 24 Constituencies of the 7 regions of Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa. Communities were able to select projects in any economic and social development sector according to their own assessment of priorities.
The implementation of the NGSIP is undertaken by National Planning Commission (NPC) which has formed a program management team for this purpose. The German Development Bank, KfW, finances the programme on behalf of the German government. In addition, NPC has selected technical advisors that were charged with the preparation and implementation process of the projects.
Phase 1 of the Programme commenced in 2008 and included 40 borehole rehabilitation projects and 10 agricultural projects. For phase 2, launched in April 2011, funding to the amount of approximately N$ 146 million was made available for project investments.
To make up for project budget short-falls, due to inflation losses and initial under-budgeting, and hence to enable commitments to implement projects, as initially approved in the 2007 Feasibility Report, to be honoured, the German Government granted additional Euro 11 million for the Programme. Formal inter-governmental agreements making these funds available were signed in June 2013. The implementation phase of the Programme is due to be completed at the end of October 2014. Click here to read more....
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Der namibische Präsident, S.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, war der erste ausländische Staatsgast der neu gewählten bundesdeutschen Regierung unter Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel am 28 November 2005.
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
