The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is the government entity that is tasked with the implementation of the Foreign Policy whose objectives is to promote and protect the national interest of Namibia.
- What is the Mandate, Vision, Mission and Core Values of the Ministry of International Relations and cooperation (MIRCO)
Mandate
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is tasked with managing Namibia’s policy on International Relations and Cooperation as stipulated in Article 96 of the Namibian Constitution, with an overarching objective of protecting Namibia’s national interests abroad.
Vision
“A prosperous, economically competitive and globally respected Namibia”
Mission
“To promote, protect and defend Namibia’s national interests and image globally
Core Values
Patriotism: We will demonstrate complete loyalty, support and defend our country.
Commitment: We demonstrate complete loyalty, dedication and passion in all our dealings to ultimately increase stakeholder value by setting priorities and making choices that lead to the enhancement of service delivery in the diplomatic service.
Professionalism: We exemplify the highest standards of efficiency, effectiveness, competence, confidentiality, resourcefulness and team work in our operations.
Discipline: We excel as responsible stewards of taxpayer’s resources. We strive to improve service delivery doing what is expected, being courteous, punctual, ensuring the timely delivery of work and displaying positive attitudes.
Integrity: We live and work in harmony and are responsive in our conduct toward our stakeholders. We recognize and value the daily individual and group contributions of our diverse workforce and strive to create a conducive working environment that promotes honesty, loyalty, transparency, accountability and confidentiality.
- How many diplomatic missions does Namibia have at the moment? Currently Namibia has thirty (31) fully fledged Diplomatic Missions, and three (3) Consulates-General abroad, which amounts to 34 missions and posts altogether.
- What is the importance of having such missions to a country like Namibia?
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is the government entity that is tasked with the implementation of the Foreign Policy whose objectives is to promote and protect the national interest of Namibia.
The Ministry is therefore the window through which the rest of the world view and interact with Namibia, politically, economically and culturally.
The Ministry is responsible for establishing diplomatic relations between Namibia and other states. It also seeks development cooperation that is beneficial to our people through bilateral cooperation between Namibia and other countries.
In economic terms, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation as the principal representative of the Namibian government abroad, through its Diplomatic Missions and Posts is tasked with attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), in order to create employment oat home.
The Diplomatic Missions, through the umbrella of the Ministry also seek multilateral cooperation in terms of tangible social and economic projects that benefit our nationals through regional and international organizations, such as SADC, AU, UN, Commonwealth etc.
The Ministry also facilitates employment of Namibians in regional and international organizations.
HARAMBEE PROSPERITY PLAN
His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia, launched the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which is based on five pillars, namely: effective governance and service delivery; economic advancement; social progression; infrastructure development and international relations and cooperation.
Under the Harambee Prosperity Plan the focus on international relations and cooperation will, therefore, be for the international community to support Namibia translate her political independence into economic independence.
Given our challenges, the NDP5 has adopted three overarching goals:
- High and sustained economic growth
- Increased income equality
- Employment creation
All these effort support the five pillars in the Harambee Prosperity plan – especially – economic advancement; and social progression.
4. What motivated the ministry to profile all its missions?
This project aims to educate and familiarize the Namibian citizenry with the activities of the Namibian Diplomatic Missions abroad, in order for them to appreciate the level of Namibians bilateral engagements. Furthermore, through these Mission profiles, the Ministry aims to assist the general public on how to take advantage of the opportunities available through our Missions, in terms of business ventures, tourism, education and other socio-economic engagements, i.e. how our Diplomatic Missions may be of assistance to Namibian citizens.
The Mission profiles further aim at creating awareness among the Namibian public on how our Diplomatic Missions are promoting trade and investments, what are the comparative advantages, and various MOUs and Agreements entered into with different countries to which they are accredited to and potential benefits to Namibians.
5. Why is it important for the public to know about the country’s missions abroad?
The public needs to know their country’s Missions abroad firstly because Namibia does not exist in isolation but connected with the international community, and therefore Namibians also need to be proactive global players. By knowing their Diplomatic Missions abroad, it allows Namibians to know how to acquire travel visas, get to know crucial information on various business markets around the world, study requirements, tourist information and how to make use of the assistance offered by Namibian Foreign Service Officers posted to our various Diplomatic Missions.
6. What are government’s expectations from the current Heads of Missions?
The Key focus of our Heads of Missions is first to promote Namibia to the rest of the world, as an investment and tourism destination. Besides, our Heads of Missions are tasked with promoting the objectives of the National Development Agenda, the Harambee Prosperity Plan, as well as the SWAPO Elections Manifesto, in terms of reaching goals such as eradicating poverty, underdevelopment, and contributing to a prosperous Namibia.
7. What is the core principles of Namibia’s international relations policy?
The Policy defines Namibia’s foreign policy amongst others,
- To promote Namibia’s economic growth and development,
- foster international peace,
- Build a positive image of Namibia abroad, and protect and assist Namibians in the diaspora, including students and other nationals living or visiting other countries for business, leisure or any other purpose.
8. Namibia reviewed her foreign policy in 2016. What is the status of that process insofar as establishing a new policy is concerned?
Following the successful Foreign Policy Review Conference in July 2016, various internal consultations have been successfully completed which resulted in the country’s Policy on International Relations and Cooperation document, which at this stage has also been made public with the entire citizenry and also already under implementation.
- What necessitated the need to review the policy and what does the new one intends to achieve?
The review of Namibia’s Foreign Policy (which is now called a Policy on International Relations and Cooperation) was undertaken in 2016, with the aim of realigning our policy with current national, regional, continental and global priorities and programs to ensure that we are responding to the new dynamics of the changing world order and modern day economic diplomacy for prosperity.
- Are there plans to open new diplomatic missions to add to the current ones?
The Namibian Government particularly the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation which is tasked with managing Namibia’s Policy on International Relations and Cooperation is always looking to expand its diplomatic representation around the world and therefore, given the necessary resources, new Diplomatic Missions will be considered in the near future to protect our national interests abroad.