Ref: 13/6/26
10 March 2008

Cabinet took the following decisions at its 4th ordinary meeting held on 4 March 2008.

1. CABINET RETREAT 2008

His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba called for a Cabinet Retreat during 2008 to discuss socio-economic issues facing Namibia, as well as the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the 2005 Swakopmund Cabinet Retreat under the theme Economic Growth and Sustainable Development.

The 2008 Cabinet Retreat will be anchored around core issues of employment creation, youth empowerment and poverty reduction, with the key focus on the implementation review of the 2005 Cabinet Retreat, identifying the challenges facing the Namibian economy within the context of NDP 3 and assessing employment creation and youth empowerment strategies.

A Preparatory Committee, chaired by the Office of the Prime Minister and consisting of five ministers and the Director General of the National Planning Commission will prepare the Retreat. The committee will be assistance by a Technical Committee under the chairpersonship of the Secretary to Cabinet to assist with administrative issues.

The 2008 Cabinet Retreat will take place during the first half of the Calendar year at a venue still to be decided. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and selected external participants will attend and participate in the discussions during the Cabinet Retreat.

Cabinet noted the directive received from H. E. President Pohamba and agreed on the composition of the Preparatory Committee for the Retreat, the broad framework agenda, possible dates and venues and he Retreat format.

Further information can be obtained from the Office of the Prime Minister at telephone 2879111.


2. RATIFICATION OF THE AMENDED STATUTES OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE (INTERNATIONAL IDEA)

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organisation based in Stockholm, Sweden. It was established in 1995 to promote and advance sustainable democracy worldwide; to improve and consolidate democratic electoral processes; to strengthen and support national capacity to develop the full range of democratic instruments; and to increase knowledge and enhance learning about democratic electoral processes.

IDEA amended its statutes in 2006 with the following key principles underpinning the amendments:

• The Council of Member States will be the overall decision-making body for the Institute;
• The Board will be changed into a Board of Advisors; and
• The associate membership category will be modified into an arrangement for cooperative membership.

As a member of IDEA, Namibia must take a decision on the amended statutes.

Cabinet, therefore, approved the tabling of the amended statutes of International IDEA in the National Assembly for ratification.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at telephone number 2829111.


3. RATIFICATION OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH CHARTER

The African Union Constitutive Act and the African Unions Strategic Plan 2007 – 2015 give due priority to youth development and empowerment. These documents and Namibia’s Youth Policy underscore the importance of youth participation and involvement in the development of our country and the African continent.

To give substance to its commitment of developing the African youth, the African Union developed the African Youth Charter that prescribes responsibilities to the AU member states for the development of the youth. The charter also articulates and underlines the rights, duties and freedoms of the youth and calls for the constructive involvement of the youth in the development agenda of the African continent and their own states. The charter also requires the effective participation of youth in the debates on decision making processes in the development of the continent.

The charter provides the legal basis for ensuring youth presence and participation in government structures and forums at national, regional and continental levels.

The charter was developed through a participatory process, which included youth from all over the continent, while inputs were also received from the Diaspora.

The African Youth Charter was adopted by Heads of State and Government at their meeting in Banjul, The Gambia in July 2006. In February 2008, Ministers responsible for youth on the continent met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and called for the signature, ratification and implementation of the African Youth Charter during 2008 to coincide with the Year of the African Union.

In the light of the above, Cabinet adopted the African Youth Charter and authorised the Minister responsible for youth affairs to table it in the National Assembly for discussion and ratification.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of National Service, Youth, Sport and Culture at telephone number 2706510.


4. ANNUAL REPORTS

- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2006/2007
- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NAMIBIA AIRPORTS COMPANY (NAC) FOR THE YEAR 2005/2006

Cabinet noted the two abovementioned annual reports and authorized the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication respectively to table the reports in the National Assembly.

MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY