The first ever Spain Namibia Climate Forum was held in Windhoek, Namibia, earlier this week.

Posted on April 25, 2024

The platform, held at the Roof of Africa Hotel and online, aimed to foster cooperation and dialogue on climate change between Spain and Namibia, being both countries severely affected by climate change. Under the theme “Targeting resilience: Harnessing Spanish and Namibian Climate Solutions”, experts, researchers, stakeholders, and the public from both countries were urged to collaborate to address this global challenge.

The event was opened by his Excellency Alberto de la Calle, Ambassador of Spain to Namibia who underlined the value of the platform in promoting global cooperation and the important role of Scientific Diplomacy. "The Spain-Namibia Climate Forum represents an important milestone in our collaborative efforts to address climate change challenges and allow us to create long-term solutions for a resilient future”- he said. Ms Maria Luisa de la Puerta, CEO of Omeva consulting, followed building on her experience as a livestock scientist in both Namibia and Spain, emphasising key areas of cooperation – “Spain and Namibia are ideal partners, Spain boasts technology and a long tradition of cooperative, whereas Namibia is pioneer in drought resilience and mitigating climate change”.

Furthermore, the forum included a dedicated session on community-led initiatives where local leaders from both Spain and Namibia shared their experiences and success stories. This session emphasized the importance of grassroots movements in driving change and showcased how communities can take proactive steps to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. The inspiring stories of adaptation and innovation served as a powerful reminder of the collective effort needed to address global environmental issues.

In summary, the event was a success. Presentations from both Namibia and Spain addressed climate change-related challenges, highlighting shared concerns such as irregular rainfall, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and droughts. Engaging Q&A sessions and networking opportunities enriched the event, fostering information exchange and collaboration among attendees. The cooperation is set to advance further. If you are interested in learning more about this or being informed of future related events, please reach out to info@omevaconsulting.com.