Namibia Reaffirms Commitment to Media Freedom and Access to Information at UNESCO Conference

Namibia Reaffirms Commitment to Media Freedom and Access to Information at UNESCO Conference. Namibia has reiterated its commitment to upholding freedom of expression and access to information as essential pillars of democracy and peace. This stance was reaffirmed during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Leading the Namibian delegation, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, highlighted Namibia’s longstanding dedication to media freedom and its global influence in promoting information as a public good. She expressed pride in the country’s contribution to the Windhoek +30 Declaration, which reinforces the importance of free, independent, and pluralistic media in sustaining democratic societies.

Minister Steenkamp also emphasized the significance of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, describing it as a milestone in preserving Namibia’s legacy of championing press freedom and transparent governance. The declaration, originally adopted in Windhoek, has become a benchmark document globally for media freedom advocacy.

The 43rd UNESCO General Conference serves as a platform to set the organization’s priorities and discuss emerging global challenges within its key focus areas, including education, science, culture, and communication. Delegates from member states are convening to deliberate on strategic initiatives that promote inclusive access to knowledge, strengthen cultural cooperation, and enhance sustainable development through education and innovation..

Namibia’s participation underscores its continued role in advancing UNESCO’s mission and reinforcing democratic values through information accessibility and freedom of expression — principles that remain vital to peace, progress, and citizen empowerment.