COP 11 red ribbon cut

Photo: COP President and Minister of Environment and Tourism Uahekua Herunga and UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc-Gnacadja cut the ribbon at the official site handover.

Last night Namibia officially handed over the official COP 11 conference venue to the UNCCD secretariat before the start of the conference on Monday. 

Minister of Environement and Tourism welcomed delegates to the Windhoek Country Club resort and casino where a massive building project over the past few months ensured that the venue was suitable to host the important conference and its approximately 3 000 delegates. 

The Minister said he believed the conference being held in Namibia is fitting, as the country is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the world. He said that his own youth, growing up in rural Namibia, had exposed him to “the devastating effects of land degradation – so this is a cause close to my heart”. 

He praised all those involved in the preparations for the event, ensuring that the temporary facilities erected would serve all needs of the conference. 

He added that “Namibia’s commitment to this convention is evident through the large amount of work that has gone into the conference venue”.

For more on the conference go to the UNCCD COP 11 home.