MET inaugurates Sustainable Development Advisory Council

The Inauguration of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council in January 2013
The Inauguration of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council in January 2013

The Sustainable Development Advisory Council is primarily tasked with promoting co-operation and co-ordination between organs of the state, non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, the private sector and donor agencies on environmental issues relating to sustainable development.

Mr. Pohamba Shifeta, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, urged the new members of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council to strike a balance between the country’s development and environmental protection needs. The council held its inaugural meeting this week. Shifeta said the inauguration marks a new beginning in the path to sustainable development. He said, “I am confident that this council will be able to mobilise resources, guide policy formulation to achieve our natural strategic development objectives and goal as outlined in the fourth National Development Policy (NDP4) and Vision 2030 respectively. You need to mobilise all Namibians and more. As with environment, we must build a national consensus for action; practical, targeted, dynamic change. We must aim to add value to our natural resources through value chain.” 

The council is comprised of eight members from government and the private sector: Anna Shiweda, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry; Annely Haiphene, the National Planning Commission’s Chief National Development Advisor; Dr Gaby Schneider, the Director of Geological Survey in the Ministry of Mines and Energy; Dr Malan Lindeque, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.The four public nominated members are Martha Mwandingi, Sioni Ikela, Dr Chris Brown and Dr Michael Humavindu. Each member will serve for three years beginning on the 1st of September, 2012.