This year’s Consultations on Development Cooperation took place on the 7 and 8 of February in Windhoek. During the consultations, both parties confirmed the three focal areas of the joint cooperation: management of natural resources, sustainable economic development and transport. Among further fields of cooperation outside the focal areas, that were discussed during the consultations, are water, energy and sports. The main goal of German-Namibian development cooperation remains the fight against poverty and inequality in Namibia. 

Namibian-German cooperation is fully aligned with the ideas and goals formulated in Namibia’s long-term development strategies as well as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The consultations were held in a very friendly and open atmosphere and were characterized by intensive, transparent, and fruitful discussions. Both sides highlighted the numerous concrete successes of Namibian-German development cooperation. 

The German delegation also informed about the priorities of Germany’s G20 presidency, especially its focus on economic development and fostering of private investment in Africa. 

The two 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 almost one billion Euro (roughly 14 billion NAD). This is complemented by the cooperation and funding taking place 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 consultations paved the way for the next bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation which are planned for the second half of 2017.