Namibia helps steer African-Caribbean-Pacific

GETTING the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) member states, and especially African countries, to pull together as one is how parliamentarian Piet van der Walt sees his new job as second vice chairman of the ACP Committee on Economics.
‘United we stand, divided we fall,’ Van der Walt summarised his mission.

Van der Walt was chosen out of 79 ACP representatives to serve on the committee. With him is David Butusol from the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific as first vice chairman and Amadou Ciré Sall, who heads the committee.Van der Walt said the honour befell him because Namibia has put its stamp on the ACP, inspiring confidence that it will actively pioneer for the just development of countries in the group.’I will use my position to lobby support and build trust, to promote democracy and and stronger relations between the ACP states,’ he said.High on his list of priorities are regional integration and development, sustainable research and education.Van der Walt also serves in the National Assembly as a Swapo parliamentarian. In addition, he has been leading Namibia’s delegation to the ACP’s negotiations with the European Union (EU) on the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).