Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi Launches Strategic Plan to Advance Namibia’s Global Engagement

Launch of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade Strategic Plan and Stakeholder Engagement, Windhoek, 22 October 2025.

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It is my distinct honour to extend a warm welcome to each one of you for gracing this very important occasion with your valuable presence – the official launch of our five-year ministerial strategic plan (2025–2030). Your presence here this morning is a clear demonstration of our effective partnership that complements Namibia’s engagement and programmes, both at the domestic and international levels.

Today marks not only a significant milestone in the ministry’s institutional journey but also reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing Namibia’s foreign policy, including international trade and investment, particularly in this rapidly changing global environment. This environment is characterised by unprecedented global trade dynamics, increasing digital transformation, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and evolving regional partnerships and alliances – all of which continue to redefine how nations interact and prosper. At the same time, fast-evolving demographic trends at the domestic level are influencing the needs and aspirations of our population.

For Namibia, this evolving context presents both challenges and opportunities – challenges that test the resilience of our systems, and opportunities that enable us to position ourselves more strategically at the regional, continental and global levels.

It is within this dynamic context that the Ministry of International Relations and Trade developed its five-year strategic plan (2025-2030). This forward-looking document is a commitment to action, with an elaborate roadmap for executing our expanded mandate, which now includes international trade and investment. It further establishes the framework within which the ministry will execute its mandate in the next five-year planning period, in line with:

• our development blueprint, Vision 2030
• the Swapo Party manifesto
• the sixth National Development Plan
• the policy on Namibia’s international relations and cooperation
• the Southern African Development Community Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan
• the African Union Agenda 2063 and its 10-year implementation plan
• the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future
  

This is the second strategic plan of the ministry, covering 2025-2030. Its significance cannot be overstated, for it coincides with the final five years of realising Vision 2030. The launch of this strategic plan therefore represents a moment of vision, reflection, introspection and transformation. Over the past years, our ministry has made significant strides – from strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation to intensively promoting Namibia’s economic diplomacy; from deepening regional integration within the Southern African Development Community and the African continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area to advancing the cause of peace, security, and sustainable development through multilateral engagement.

This strategic plan is informed by the significance of the next five years and the seven national development priorities. It outlines the ministry’s programmes and projects, and aims to steer the ministry towards the position it aspires to be in by 2029/2030. It takes into account the key critical factors, both internal and external, that have a bearing on the ministry’s ability to fulfil its mandate and vision, and refocus its programmes to attain sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The plan reflects a synergy between activities and allocated resources in implementing the identified priority areas.

Furthermore, this plan will assist the ministry to enhance its methods of operation to effectively and efficiently respond to emerging issues and developments in line with the country’s national high-level policy documents. Simply put, it is a compass geared towards advancing peace, security, stability, prosperity, sustained economic growth, trade and investment, reduced income inequality, youth and women empowerment, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of our cultural heritage. 

Our efforts reflect the government’s commitment to diplomacy, international cooperation, and the promotion of trade and investment, as well as our national values and interests.

We have set ourselves the goal for the ministry to uphold its reputation as a responsible and reliable partner in the global arena, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and effective service delivery to our people, stakeholders and the international community in all our engagements. In this context, I am pleased to announce that this strategic plan was developed through a highly consultative and participatory process within the ministry and beyond, to mainstream best practices.

Today’s launch is thus more than a ceremony – it is a call to collective action. It is a staunch reminder that every Namibian, whether serving at headquarters, in our diplomatic missions, across all offices, ministries and agencies, in the private sector, civil society, and in all our 14 regions, has a role to play in advancing Namibia’s national interests. Similarly, we look forward to continuing to work together with all our development partners in the Global South and Global North, as well as at the multilateral level.

In conclusion, let me appeal to the Namibian people and all relevant stakeholders for their individual support and leadership towards the full implementation of this strategic plan, in realising our national development goals and aspirations.

I thank you.

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