From 10 to 11 September 2018, Namibia hosted an advance mission from the APRM led by Ambassador Ombeni Sefue of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, who is the Lead Panel Member for Namibia. The purpose of the mission was to conduct a series of consultations with government as well as civil society and the private sector on how best to support Namibia’s preparations for its APRM review, including establishment of national structures to manage APRM activities and sensitisation of stakeholders on the APRM. This was followed by a Support Mission from 20 to 21 June 2019, to continue with consultations on finalising the establishment of an APRM National Governing Council (NGC) to oversee APRM activities, as well as continued sensitisation of stakeholders. The Mission also discussed preparation for the targeted review of Namibia on youth unemployment, with Namibia one of the pioneer AU Member States to undertake such an innovative review.

The Support Mission met with Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Lineekela J. Mboti, Focal Point for Namibia and head of the APRM Secretariat as well as Ambassador Wilfried Inotira Emvula, Chairperson of the Namibia APRM National Governing Council (NGC).  The mission also carried out sensitisation activities including convening a national stakeholder’s forum on 21 June 2019. The national stakeholder’s forum included representatives from government, academia, civil society and the private sector.

Namibia acceded to the APRM in January 2017, at the APR Forum meeting of 28 January 2017, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the 36^th APRM Member State. At accession, H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, stated his support for the APRM as a process that plays a pivotal role in enabling Africa to achieve the noble Aspirations and Developmental Goals of Agenda 2063 and its First-Ten Year Implementation Plan.

At the conclusion of the Support Mission a draft Roadmap was agreed to including inauguration of the NGC and the targeted and full review missions in 2020-2021.

The African Peer Review Mechanism [APRM] was adopted by Member States of the AU primarily as a self-monitoring mechanism designed to promote policies, standards and practices that will lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and economic integration in Africa.  As at June 2019, the APRM comprises of 38 Member States who have voluntarily acceded to the Mechanism.

Done in Windhoek, Namibia on 21 June 2019

Amb. Ombeni Sefue                              Amb. Wilfried I. Emvula     Amb. Lineekela J. Mboti                                                                                                                                            

Lead Panel Member for Namibia        Chairperson, NGC               Focal Point & Head of Secretariat                                                                  

APR Panel of Eminent Persons            Republic of Namibia            Republic of Namibia

African Union