Namibia Hosts 24th Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series on Sustainable Development

Namibia Hosts 24th Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series on Sustainable Development. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) convened the 24th Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series (TBGLS) on Thursday, 11 September 2025, at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). The session carried the theme: “The Pact for the Future: Renewed commitments to advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda.”

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Jenelly Matundu, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, outlined the process leading to the adoption of the Pact for the Future and highlighted its relevance to Namibia’s policy landscape. She emphasised how the Pact intersects with national priorities articulated in the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6), positioning Namibia to align global commitments with domestic development strategies.

Ms. Hopolang Phororo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Namibia, further reinforced the lecture’s central theme, stressing that the Summit of the Future outcomes resonate strongly with Vision 2030 and NDP6. She noted that Namibia’s development framework provides a robust foundation for advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda in ways that reflect national priorities.

The event included active participation from both in-person and virtual audiences, allowing for broad engagement on the future of multilateralism and sustainable growth.

Adding a special significance to the lecture was the presence of Madam Joan Guriras, spouse of the late Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Namibia’s first Foreign Affairs Minister and a diplomat widely respected for his contribution to international relations.

Since its inception in 2017 by the late President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series has become a platform for dialogue on Namibia’s role in shaping international cooperation. Over the years, it has encouraged public involvement in foreign policy discussions while honouring Dr. Gurirab’s enduring legacy.