Namibia and Cuba have entered a new era of collaboration with the signing of a Protocol on Cooperation between their respective parliaments. This significant agreement was formalized during an official visit by Namibia’s Speaker of Parliament, Professor Peter Katjavivi, who met with Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the Cuban National Assembly.
The newly signed protocol aims to enhance cooperation in key areas, including parliamentary practices, legislative processes, and capacity-building initiatives. Both nations have committed to facilitating regular exchanges of information, holding joint meetings between standing committees, and organizing reciprocal visits by parliamentary friendship groups.
Under the agreement, Namibia and Cuba will collaborate on activities designed to promote good governance and bolster democratic institutions. The protocol emphasizes the sharing of parliamentary best practices and policy analysis, reflecting both countries’ shared values of governance and social development.
A Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Working Group has been established to oversee the implementation of the protocol. This group will identify joint projects, create work programs, and monitor progress to ensure effective collaboration between the two legislative bodies. It will also explore opportunities for research, training, and legislative information exchange.
During discussions, Katjavivi highlighted several areas where Namibia could benefit from Cuba’s experiences, particularly in education and healthcare. He noted the invaluable contributions of Cuban medical professionals to Namibia’s health sector and the positive impact of Namibian students who studied in Cuba on the country’s development agenda.
As both nations face modern global challenges such as climate change, economic hardships, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol underscores their commitment to addressing these issues through resilient governance.
Katjavivi reaffirmed the historic friendship between Namibia and Cuba, acknowledging Cuba’s pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation struggle and honoring the Cuban internationalist fighters who participated in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
The weeklong visit by a multi-party Namibian parliamentary delegation is set to conclude on Saturday, aiming to further solidify the ties between the two countries.