Namibia’s reputation as a leader in water management has received a major international endorsement after being selected to host the headquarters of the inter-continental Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO).
GWPO chief executive and global water partnership executive secretary Alex Simalabwi says Namibia emerged successful following an 18-month competitive selection process.
He made the revelation on Wednesday at the ongoing 2026 commemoration of Africa Public Service Day at Swakopmund.
He said the country’s professionalism, political stability, infrastructure, leadership and decades of experience managing water in one of the world’s driest regions set it apart.
Simalabwi described the Namibia Water Corporation as one of the world’s leading water utilities and praised Namibia’s pioneering water reclamation efforts.
He singled out the Gammams Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek as a globally recognised model that demonstrates how water-scarce countries can secure sustainable water supplies.
He stressed that water security cannot be achieved in isolation, saying countries must strengthen partnerships and adopt integrated approaches to water management.
“Water security transforms nations,” Simalabwi said.
The relocation of the GWPO headquarters from Stockholm, Sweden, to Windhoek, he added, positions Namibia as a global centre for water dialogue, innovation and knowledge sharing.
He said it is expected to create employment opportunities, promote skills development and generate economic benefits.
He said the development further cements Namibia’s standing as a global reference point in water management while providing a platform to share its expertise and contribute to international efforts to improve water security.
