In the spirit of ‘Delivering as One’ as the United Nations (UN) System in Namibia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Namibia donated a Toyota Corolla to the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek. The vehicle was received by UNIC Windhoek staff today at a handover ceremony held at the UN House in Windhoek.

FAO is delighted to handover the vehicle to UNIC since UNIC has not been mobile over the years, relying on outsourced in the execution of daily operational activities as well as educational outreach initiatives aimed toward boosting the message of the UN System in Namibia said Dr. Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Representative to Namibia.

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Ms Kiki Gbeho, who was also present at the ceremony expressed appreciation to FAO for donating a vehicle to UNIC at a critical time.  The Resident Coordinator added that the UN country team need to work together to support the Namibian Government achieve its developmental objectives. The four priority areas for UNCT in Namibia include Health, education, Institutional Environmental and Poverty Reduction.  The RC further stated that as the UN team, for the year, two areas will really drive us; firstly, the war of poverty and secondly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The SDGs are fundamental in ensuring Poverty eradication around the world while saving the planet with prosperity for all as a driving force behind the UN common agenda. 

The donation of the vehicle is an illustration of the commitment of the UNCT in taking actions towards the attainment of the 17 SDGs and in this respect, the vehicle will be used to get the message out as UNIC is key in insuring that the UNCT is able to reach the Namibian people with Key messages.

Receiving the vehicle on behalf of UNIC, Ms. Anthea Basson said, the UN System in Namibia aims to function as a cohesive and complimentary unit, we endeavor to deliver as one with the principal aim of fulfilling the UN’s mandate in Namibia.

“In an effort to achieve this goal, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) functions to narrow the gap between UN agencies and local audiences. The Centre remains the primary source of information for the UN system in Namibia, reaching even remote areas in the country. The Centre must function to it’s maximum capacity in order to disseminate accurate and informative information to the public” she added.

She concluded saying that “Having said that, The Center would like to express it’s warmest gratitude to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for donating a Toyota Corolla to UNIC Windhoek. At the heart of this kind gesture is the collective inter-agency desire to promote and implement the objectives of the United Nations within Namibia.  The vehicle will assist the UNIC office in maximizing it’s ability to render support and valuable information to the greater population and amplify it’s ability to implement outreach projects that fulfill the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “

Thank you again to the FAO and everyone for attending this hand-over. We look forward to utilizing this vehicle to the best of our ability in order to continually fulfill the mission of the UN in Namibia.