Bilateral Relations - Austria and Namibia

Namibia gained independence in 1990, Austria has recognized Namibia as a state on 23 February 1990. Diplomatic relations were taken up on 5 October 1990. Namibia is represented in Austria through an Embassy in Vienna. Austria is present in Namibia through a Honorary Consulate General in Windhoek. The relations between Austria and Namibia are friendly. About 600 Austrians live in Namibia.

In May 2008, Special Envoy for Africa, Ambassador Georg Lennkh met Foreign Minister Hausiku, in September 2008 a high-level delegation led by former Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab will visit Austria during “Namibia Week”.

Austrian visitors can remain in Namibia without visa for 90 days each year.

Namiba has two SOS children villages in Khomasdal and Tsumeb, as well as two youth centres and two kindergarden and three social centres.

Namibia is a partner country of Austrian Development Cooperation within the priority region Southern Africa. The thematic priority of Austrian Development Cooperation in Southern Africa is to support local and regional development plans. Decentralisation and economic empowerment strategies work towards poverty reduction and the development of democratic structures.

Austria has supported the human rights sector in Namibia in the following two areas:

Child Justice: Contribution to the building up of a comprehensive Child Justice System (to guarantee fair treatment and just consideration of the circumstances and compliance with international standards while at the same time facilitating resocialisation and reintegration): total project budget (for a 3 years period): € 770.347,--, total budget 2004: € 356.000.-.

Status of women: contribution to the promotion of the status of women in society, politics and business through the implementation of legitimate legal claims as well as the creation of non-discriminatory legal conditions for women: total project budget (for a 3 years period): € 234.323,--, total budget 2004: € 151.000.-.