WINDHOEK, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday officially launched the GEF-UNIDO Namibia Child Project under the Global Clean Hydrogen Program, as the southern African country pushes forward its green economy agenda.
The initiative, a collaboration between Namibia, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multilateral fund for the environment, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), was launched at an event in Windhoek.
Sikongo Haihambo, executive director of Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the country's GEF Operational Focal Point, said the initiative marks an important step in advancing the national green hydrogen agenda and strengthening partnerships.
"Namibia's green hydrogen ambition is firmly rooted in our national development priorities. It is aligned with Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan, the Green Industrialization Blueprint, the Localizing Green Industries in Namibia approach, and the Namibia Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Strategy," he said.
According to him, these frameworks recognize green hydrogen as a strategic pathway for economic transformation, industrial diversification, energy security, job creation, and climate resilience.
He said the project is expected to support greenhouse gas emissions avoidance, strengthen institutional capacity, enhance the policy and regulatory environment, improve technical readiness, and contribute to knowledge sharing across Namibia.
On behalf of UNIDO, Project Manager Sven Schuppener said that the Global Clean Hydrogen Program, especially the Namibia Child Project, is one of UNIDO's flagship initiatives.
"We see enormous potential in Namibia's ambition to industrialize sustainably, the strong political momentum behind industrial development and green hydrogen, and the clear vision that Namibia has established," he said.
The project also connects Namibia to an international network of partner countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Ecuador, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa, working to build a low-carbon hydrogen economy. ■