Kenya and Namibia on Wednesday developed joint frameworks that are aimed to boost bilateral ties particularly in the areas of diplomatic consultations, tourism and youth affairs, officials said.
Monica Juma, Kenya’s cabinet secretary of foreign affairs, told a media briefing in Nairobi that the frameworks were developed during the ministerial segment of the inaugural Session of the Kenya-Namibia Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
“The session has provided us with an excellent platform to conclude a number of bilateral frameworks that will revitalize our engagements in various areas of mutual interest,” Juma said.
She noted that the envisaged signing of these key frameworks during the visit to Kenya on Friday by Namibia’s President Hage Geingob will provide commendable momentum towards reinvigoration and consolidation of bilateral relations.
She added that the joint commission was able to review the existing frameworks of cooperation, verified the next step to address those that have lapsed and made recommendations on the way forward.
“It is equally important to note that the meeting was able to identify key sectors of our economies with potential for collaboration in line with our comparative advantages to foster shared prosperity for two nations and peoples,” she observed.
Juma said that both nations have a timely opportunity to harness the momentous political goodwill and resolute mutual desire at the highest level to elevate the bilateral relations to a more strategic partnership.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said that bilateral relations between Kenya and Namibia emanate from historic ties during the time of Namibia’s liberation struggle.
She said that trade between the two countries is low and needs to be improved in line with relevant African Union decisions.
She noted that Namibia and Kenya are coastal states and cooperation in processing marine resources and developing the marine sector will bring mutual benefit to the two countries.
“Our two port authorities need to engage to take advantage of the emerging opportunities.” she said.
