MEFT budget increase has to make due

The budget of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism increased nearly 10% for the 2025/2026 financial year, but it is still below what is required to implement planned programmes and initiatives. Minister Indileni Daniel said this in her budget statement.She said that the ministry has been allocated a budget of N$797 626 million for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, representing an overall increase of 9.93% in the ministry’s total budget allocation compared to the previous financial year. “While this allocation remains below what is required to implement all planned programmes and initiatives fully, we remain committed to delivering maximum value from this allocation. We will continue with our quest for efficiency, strategic resource utilisation, and high-impact outcomes for our environment and communities.”Daniel said that the current allocations and initiatives are aligned with the international, continental, regional, and national frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2030, the National Development Plan 6, and the ministry’s recently approved Strategic Plan.Outlining some of the ministry’s programmes, Daniel said the Environment and Natural Resources Protection programme is allocated a total amount of N$189 112 million. She said that this is the second biggest programme of the ministry and involves the implementation of the Environmental Management Act, Forest Act, and the Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Act.These focus on sustainable forest management, environmental management and economics, benefit-sharing of indigenous natural resources, sustainably managed biological diversity, and the implementation of various multilateral environmentalAgreements.Daniel said that to address these challenges, the ministry has developed several strategic initiatives, which include the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) SystemModernisation.“The online ECC processing system will be revamped during this financial year to enhance transparency, accountability, and functionality.”According to her, this digital transformation will streamline application processes, reduce processing times, and improve communication with stakeholders.Daniel further said that the ministry has been taking measures to enhance compliancewith the Forestry Act, in terms of sustainable management.She said that the ministry in 2025/2026 aims to focus on the amendment to the Forest Act and its regulations, finalise the forest and veld fire management plan, compile the Forest and Botanical Research strategy and implement measures to curb plant poaching.It will also focus on wildfire management and promotion of bee-keeping, tree planting and law enforcement and crime preventionDaniel said that the operationalisation of the Access to Biological and GeneticResources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (ABS) office under the Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Act (ABS Act) in this financial year is therefore an important priority for the ministry. “Its regulatory functions include issuing access permits based on benefit-sharing agreements with the traditional knowledge rights holders of resources, as well as the export and material transfer arrangements of said materials.”According to Daniel, over the past decade, Namibia secured N$4 billion in climate funding, with current projects valued at N$1.3 billion. She said that despite these investments, climate change continues to threaten water security, agriculture, biodiversity, health, and infrastructure.

MEFT budget increase has to make due

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-24

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MEFT budget increase has to make due

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-24

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