Dr. /Goagoses' address focused on the importance of public-private partnerships, youth and women's enterprise development, and cross-border cooperation. She stressed the strategic significance of the Port of Walvis Bay and its corridors to landlocked African economies. The Governor's speech also situated Namibia's experience within the broader context of African integration and South–South cooperation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was cited as a framework for deepening trade, investment, technology transfer, and economic partnerships among African countries.
The International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership, where Dr. /Goagoses delivered her address, took place on September 24, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis in New York. The event was held during the United Nations General Assembly Week. The Governor expressed her appreciation for the invitation and nomination to participate in the forum. She extended greetings from the people of the Erongo Region and President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Dr. /Goagoses approached the theme of sovereignty, solidarity, and South–South cooperation from the perspective of subnational governance. She emphasized that national aspirations become tangible at the regional and local levels, where policies are implemented in the daily lives of citizens. In Namibia, sovereignty is not only about political independence but also about economic emancipation. The Governor cited the late President, His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, who reminded that "people don't eat policies."
In Erongo, the practical application of sovereignty involves translating the region's natural resources into greater opportunities and ownership for its people. The Governor highlighted the importance of beneficiation, value addition, and participation in ensuring that more value is created locally and more opportunities reach communities. The partnership between government and the private sector is crucial in achieving this goal. Erongo's businesses and private-sector players are supporting initiatives that empower communities, create opportunities, and strengthen local economies.
The Erongo Region is one of Namibia's most prosperous regions, with strategic assets, prominent tourism destinations, and an abundance of mineral resources. However, challenges of destitution within communities persist. The Governor's duty as a subnational government is to ensure that marginalized populations are integrated into the mainstream economy, enabling them to directly benefit from the region's natural resources. Specific interventions have been implemented in Erongo to translate high-level principles of sovereignty into tangible action.
One of the key interventions in Erongo is guaranteeing the security of the water supply. As an arid nation, Namibia faces significant challenges in this area. The Governor's efforts focus on ensuring that the region's water needs are met, which is essential for economic development and community well-being. By addressing such practical challenges, Dr. /Goagoses aims to make sovereignty tangible in Erongo and contribute to Namibia's broader economic emancipation.
Key points
- Dr. Nathalia /Goagoses emphasizes the importance of economic participation and ownership in achieving sovereignty.
- The Governor highlights public-private partnerships as crucial for translating policy into practical opportunities and ownership.
- Erongo's experience in water security, fisheries, and infrastructure development serves as a model for implementing sovereignty and South–South cooperation.
