President Geingob has stressed the importance of safeguarding and maximising the potential of the ocean due to their abundant natural resources, urging Namibians to take deliberate actions for protection against harmful practices.
Geingob in his remarks in honour of World Oceans Day on Thursday, said Namibia is on the verge of pioneering the production of oil, gas, and renewable energy, all of which have unrivalled potential to reshape the face of Namibia’s economic advancement and better Namibian lives.
He said as part of its commitment to ocean conservation, Namibia joined the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which is comprised of 14 member states.
“To solidify its dedication to protecting the ocean, Namibia launched the Transformations Document for a Sustainable Ocean Economy in 2020 to outline our nation’s 100 per cent vision for good ocean management and a headline commitment to establish and enact Sustainable Ocean Plans by 2025,” he said.
Geingob further said oceans are vital to human life on planet Earth. For Namibia, they provide a remarkable tourism gateway to Namibia’s spectacular coastline, which is also where the desert uniquely meets the ocean.
The impact of the ocean on the world, and Namibia in particular, cannot be over-emphasised with maritime transport accounting for 85 per cent of the country’s domestic trade, while marine diamonds are the largest commodity and the biggest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Additionally, Namibia’s thriving fisheries sector provides employment and economic prosperity to thousands of Namibians, as well as food security. Namibia’s economic future and the livelihoods of many of its people are highly dependent on the state of our ocean,” he said.
It is important for every Namibian to therefore pull together to ensure the sustainability of its ocean and its resources.
Now more than ever, it is imperative to collaborate in promoting sustainable development in the blue economy and investing in renewable energy, marine tourism, and sustainable aquaculture for economic growth, he noted.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency