Geingob takes up Palestinian cause

President Hage Geingob has called for the unconditional admission of Palestine and Western Sahara as full members of the United Nations (UN) and its agencies. Speaking at the UN Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Geingob said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were about inclusion and not exclusion. Therefore, he said, the international community has an obligation to ensure that the people of Palestine and Western Sahara realise their inalienable right to self-determination and the creation of their independent and sovereign states. The Palestinian Authority applied for UN membership in 2011, and in 2012 was granted a non-member observer status. Western Sahara, formerly the Spanish colony of Spanish Sahara, is a disputed territory claimed by both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front. It is listed by the UN as a non-decolonised territory and is thus included in the UN’s list of non-self-governing territories. Geingob used the same occasion to indicate that climate change is a global problem and requires a global response from all sectors, both in the developed and developing world. He said Africa has been singled out as the most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. As one of the driest countries on earth, he explained, Namibia as a developing nation faces immense challenges of drought, land degradation and desertification. In December this year, countries such as Namibia will convene in Paris for COP21 to adopt a legally binding agreement that will give hope to the aspirations to address the challenges posed by climate change. The 2015 COP21, also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below two degrees Celsius. Geingob is in New York for the 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) which opened at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday. The General Debate of the 70th Session of the UNGA will take place from until October 6, 2015. The Namibian President is expected to deliver his maiden address to the 70th session of the UNGA today. - Report by Nampa MAGGY THOMAS