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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

António Guterres

Also known as: secretary general António Guterres · UN Secretary-General António Guterres · United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres · UN secretary general António Guterres

UN Secretary-General whose second and final term ends 31 December 2026, succeeded by multiple candidates including Macky Sall.

2023-11-262026-10-22
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  1. September 2026

  2. New Era

    Current Secretary General António Guterres has served since 2017

    Source

    “He is expected to leave office after serving since 2017.”

    Campaign for female UN SG in overdrive

  3. Informanté

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres provided opening remarks at High-Level Meeting of 81st UN General Assembly

    Source

    “The meeting was presided over by the President of the 81st General Assembly, Dr Khalilur Rahman, and featured opening remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.”

    Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for stronger global action on development and oceans

  4. Windhoek Observer

    António Guterres is outgoing UN Secretary-General

    Source

    “She reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to gender equality and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, while making a direct appeal for the world body to be led by a woman.”

    Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for woman UN Secretary-General
  5. August 2026

  6. New Era

    António Guterres is the current secretary-general whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026

    Source

    “The UN has never had a female secretary-general in its 80-year history, but this year's elections have seen multiple women contesting to succeed current secretary-general António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026.”

    ‘Future is female’ … Namibia agitates first UN female SG
  7. July 2026

  8. The Namibian

    UN Secretary General António Guterres warned the world is running out of time to achieve the SDGs.

    Source

    “UN secretary general António Guterres at the event warned the world is running out of time to achieve the SDGs.”

    Lack of sanitation slows development goal progress
  9. June 2026

  10. The Namibian

    UN secretary general António Guterres says past 11 years recorded as hottest on record

    Source

    “United Nations (UN) secretary general António Guterres says the warning signs of climate change are becoming harder to ignore, with the past 11 years recorded as the hottest on record.”

    Nature holds key to climate fight

  11. The Namibian

    UN secretary general António Guterres calls for rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and just transition to renewable energy

    Source

    “Guterres calls for a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.”

    Nature holds key to climate fight
  12. May 2026

  13. The Namibian

    United Nations secretary general António Guterres says current energy crisis has exposed overdependency on fossil fuels

    Source

    “United Nations secretary general António Guterres says the current energy crisis has shown an overdependency on fossil fuels and not enough use of renewables.”

    Renewable energy now cheapest source of power
  14. April 2026

  15. The Namibian

    António Guterres strongly condemns criminal acts perpetrated by individuals inciting violence

    Source

    “He strongly condemns these criminal acts perpetrated by individuals inciting violence and exploiting socioeconomic conditions.”

    Hate on parade: Xenophobic marches gather pace as UN warns South Africa

  16. The Namibian

    UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns the acts of violence and expresses solidarity with the Malian people

    Source

    “Following Saturday's widespread orchestrated attacks, United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres condemns the "acts of violence" as he expresses his "solidarity with the Malian people".”

    Mali defence minister killed as country hit by wave of rebel attacks
Politics

President Nandi-Ndaitwah's UNGA81 trip pursues investment and infrastructure financing

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended UNGA81 to promote Namibia's investment opportunities, secure financing for critical infrastructure, and defend the country's interests in the global financial system. The visit produced new investment leads, water-financing discussions, potential education cooperation, and a stronger role in implementing the Pact for the Future, though these remain opportunities for further discussions rather than concluded agreements.

7 October 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. President Nandi-Ndaitwah's UNGA81 trip pursues investment and infrastructure financing

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended UNGA81 to promote Namibia's investment opportunities, secure financing for critical infrastructure, and defend the country's interests in the global financial system. The visit produced new investment leads, water-financing discussions, potential education cooperation, and a stronger role in implementing the Pact for the Future, though these remain opportunities for further discussions rather than concluded agreements.

    7 October 2026 · New Era →

Monday 28 September

  1. World leaders call for female UN secretary general at General Assembly

    Several world leaders, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, have called for a woman to become the next secretary general of the United Nations, noting that no woman has held the position since the organisation's establishment in 1945. Estonia, Dominican Republic, and Botswana were among those echoing the call during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

    28 September 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 27 September

  1. Namibia president calls for woman UN secretary general

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the UN General Assembly that no woman has served as secretary general since the organisation's establishment in 1945, and argued that the time has come for a woman to lead it. The Pan-African Women's Organisation described her call as a powerful moment for women's representation in global leadership.

    27 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President Nandi-Ndaitwah urges global action on development, oceans

    At the UN General Assembly, President Nandi-Ndaitwah called for stronger international action to advance the Right to Development and protect oceans, emphasizing the need for greater climate finance, respect for international law, and cooperation. She stressed the link between development levels and climate resilience, calling for polluters to provide financial assistance to developing states.

    27 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 24 September

  1. President Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for woman UN secretary general

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the UN General Assembly calling for a woman to be elected as the next UN secretary general, noting that since the organisation's establishment in 1945 no woman has served in the role, and that the UN's leadership has not reflected the gender equality it promotes globally.

    24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia's president calls for woman UN Secretary-General

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the 81st UN General Assembly and called for a woman to be elected as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, placing gender equality and women's leadership at the centre of her address. She also expressed solidarity with conflict-affected countries including Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

    24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 21 September

  1. President calls for energy transition creating jobs for developing nations

    At the UN Private Sector Forum in New York, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for a clean energy transition measured not only in megawatts and emissions reductions, but in jobs, skills, and industrial value created for developing countries. She emphasized that energy policy is inseparable from economic security, climate resilience, and human development.

    21 September 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 28 August

  1. Namibia leads push for first female UN secretary-general

    Namibia has taken a leading role in advocating for the election of the first-ever woman as the next secretary-general of the United Nations. International relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi made this stance known during a working visit to the Republic of Congo, noting that after 80 years the UN has never had a female secretary-general, though multiple women are contesting to succeed current secretary-general António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026. Namibia, Brazil, Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, and over 110 member states have expressed strong support for electing the first female UN secretary-general.

    28 August 2026 · New Era →

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia lags on sanitation target within Sustainable Development Goals

    Namibia is falling behind on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, about 40% of households lack adequate sanitation, with the situation worse in marginalised communities where nearly seven out of every ten households do not have a toilet.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 18 June

  1. SADC commits to strengthening Ebola response in DRC and Uganda

    The Southern African Development Community reaffirmed its commitment to supporting continental efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, while strengthening preparedness and response measures across the Southern African region. SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi participated in a High-Level Virtual Meeting of African Heads of State and Partners convened by the African Union to mobilise resources and coordinated action, which resulted in pledges of financial and in-kind support from African countries and development partners.

    18 June 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 5 June

  1. Deputy commissioner: Nature offers solutions to climate change

    Namibia's deputy environmental commissioner Caroline Garus-Oas says protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, rivers, oceans and wetlands is critical in addressing climate change, noting that trees and algae absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain environmental balance. She also advocates for sustainable cities incorporating climate-smart buildings, solar energy and green spaces as nature-based solutions.

    5 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Renewable energy now cheapest electricity source globally

    According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, utility-scale solar and onshore wind power now cost about US$40 per megawatt-hour globally in 2025, less than half the cost of new gas turbine plants at over US$100 per megawatt-hour, as renewable costs have fallen and fossil fuel prices have risen.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 April

  1. South Africa's xenophobic marches accelerate amid UN concern

    Anti-migrant marches led by activists Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and Zandile Ndlovu are staging increasingly bold demonstrations across South African cities with little resistance from authorities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the surge in threats and violence as South Africa faces pressure to intervene.

    30 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Mali's defence minister killed in suicide truck bombing

    Mali's defence minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako as part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists across the country. The attack, launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda, also killed at least three of Camara's family members, and the head of the military junta was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Mali defence minister killed in suicide truck bombing

    Mali's defence minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako, part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists across the country. The attack, claimed by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants, also killed at least three of Camara's family members.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. UN calls for action on women's legal rights inequality

    UN Secretary General António Guterres stated on International Women's Day that women worldwide hold only 64% of the legal rights enjoyed by men, with many countries preventing women from owning property, seeking divorce, or working without spousal permission. He called for a united global effort to address persistent legal discrimination and defend women's progress.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Macky Sall becomes Africa's UN secretary general candidate

    Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has been nominated as Africa's candidate for the UN secretary general position, which will become vacant on 1 January 2027 when António Guterres's term ends. He is competing against former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Namibia advises citizens in Middle East conflict zone

    Tension is escalating in the Middle East following military exchanges between the US, Israel, and Iran. The Namibian Embassy in Egypt has assured citizens in the region that their safety is a priority and advised them to exercise caution, avoid high-risk areas, and follow local authorities' instructions.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. UN chief warns global powers eroding rule of law

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN Human Rights Council that human rights are under "full-scale attack" as powerful nations prioritize force over international law, citing Russia's war in Ukraine and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as examples. He stressed that this assault is "happening in plain sight" and often led by those with the greatest power.

    24 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 5 February

  1. UN secretary general warns of imminent financial collapse

    António Guterres has warned that the UN faces an "imminent financial collapse" due to member states not paying their assessed contributions, with money potentially running out by July. The crisis has been deepened by the United States refusing to pay its contributions and withdrawing from UN agencies, forcing the organisation to return funds it has not received and cutting humanitarian programmes worldwide.

    5 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 28 January

  1. Namibia faces choice between multilateralism and unilateral alignments

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia must openly debate and declare its foreign policy position amid global tensions, cautioning that the country's current alignment with Russia and China—despite rhetoric of non-alignment—could jeopardize trade benefits and put it at odds with multilateral principles that facilitated its independence. The author contrasts Namibia's closed policy discussions with South Africa's public commitment to strengthening the UN-based multilateral order.

    28 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. UN chief warns US dismisses multilateralism and international law

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the BBC that the United States acts with impunity and believes its power matters more than international law, viewing multilateral solutions as irrelevant. Guterres warned that the UN's founding principles, including member state equality, are under threat, and called for reform of the Security Council to regain legitimacy and limit veto powers that he says are used to block global efforts.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 13 January

  1. Security forces kill hundreds in Iran anti-government protests

    Eyewitnesses in Iran describe security forces and paramilitary units opening fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters, with credible accounts suggesting dozens to hundreds killed across multiple cities. Iran has cut internet access and barred international media from reporting freely, making independent verification difficult, though human rights groups estimate at least 648 deaths including minors.

    13 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 January

  1. Namibia condemns US military action against Venezuela, Maduro captured

    Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade, alongside political parties, condemned the United States' military strike against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, citing violations of international law and national sovereignty. The government reaffirmed solidarity with Venezuela based on shared anti-colonial history, though some opposition figures questioned the framing while still opposing unilateral military intervention.

    6 January 2026 · New Era →

António Guterres — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute