Launch of Japan-UNDP-Namibia Trilateral Cooperation Project

 

On Thursday, 6 May 2021, a launch ceremony of the Japan-UNDP-Namibia trilateral cooperation project “Strengthening Namibia food systems to recover from emergencies and disease-related shocks through the Build Back Better (BBB) programme” with funding from the Government of Japan was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. The launching ceremony was officiated by H.E. Mr. HARADA Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Namibia, Hon. Anna Shiwedah, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, and Ms. Alka Bhatia, UNDP Resident representative.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic is still adversely affecting society as a whole and, among other fields, having a serious impact on food security and the livelihoods of vulnerable groups such as small-scale farmers and informal vendors, the Government of Japan has decided to provide assistance totaling 1 million US Dollars (approximately 14.5 million NAD) in order to support the Namibian government's efforts to cope with this emergency situation in cooperation with UNDP.

In conjunction with the launch ceremony, a round-table discussion was held to discuss how to address the destabilization of food security caused by urbanization, among others, with Rev. Salomon April, Governor of Hardap Region, H.W. Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda, Mayor of Windhoek, and H.W. Mrs. Louisa Kativa, Mayor of Swakopmund, to share their experiences and opinions.

   
                                                     
Hon. Anna Shiwedah, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform                                  Rev. Salomon April, Governor of Hardap Region, at the round -table discussion