President returns from Cuba state visit
Presidents concludes successful state visit
During his visit, President Nangolo Mbumba said Namibia shares an 'unbreakable bond of solidarity' with Cuba.
Namibia's relationship with the Republic of Cuba has been further strengthened after President Nangolo Mbumba undertook a successful two-day state visit to the country last week.
This follows Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez's visit to Namibia in August 2023, during which several cooperation agreements between the two countries were signed.
During his visit from 16 to 18 December, Mbumba expressed satisfaction with the cooperation in the fields of health, urban planning and civil engineering and emphasised the need for stronger economic ties and high-level scientific collaboration between the two countries.
In a statement, Mbumba said: "I, and many Namibians consider Cuba as our second home. Our home away from home, where we truly feel that we are among our brothers and sisters with whom we share an unbreakable bond of solidarity."
The president also paid a visit to the José Martí monument, where he laid a wreath.
Mbumba was honoured with the Order of José Martí, the highest national honour in Cuba, bestowed for outstanding service during the state visit.
To promote economic cooperation in the field of biotechnology research and manufacturing, Mbumba visited the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana.
He praised the centre for its research and manufacturing capabilities and emphasised the urgent need for scientific cooperation in biotechnology research between the centre and Namibian institutions.
Close partnership
According to the Office of the Presidency, Namibia and Cuba's cooperation spans various sectors, including health, education, tourism, transportation, construction and sports.
In July 2023, 173 Namibian medical students graduated from various universities in Cuba, while 49 dental students completed their studies in 2022. Another group of five Namibian medical students graduated in July 2024 in Cuba and have since returned to Namibia to practice their profession.
Mbumba also highlighted that “over the years our bilateral relations have grown in depth and strength. Testimony to this, are the 180 medical science graduates trained in Cuba, who are currently being integrated into our national health care system”.
He added a group of 33 Namibian youths arrived last month in Cuba to commence undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering and other technical fields.
“In the same way, we currently have 93 Cuban health professionals and 21 Cuban engineers and architects in Namibia, assisting the Namibian government to deliver quality health care, build housing and other essential public infrastructure for our people.”
The two countries have also collaborated in the fields of environment and tourism. Namibia donated wildlife to Cuba to boost its biodiversity and tourism efforts.
In sports, Cuba has provided Namibia with high-level specialists in wrestling and boxing.
– [email protected]
This follows Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez's visit to Namibia in August 2023, during which several cooperation agreements between the two countries were signed.
During his visit from 16 to 18 December, Mbumba expressed satisfaction with the cooperation in the fields of health, urban planning and civil engineering and emphasised the need for stronger economic ties and high-level scientific collaboration between the two countries.
In a statement, Mbumba said: "I, and many Namibians consider Cuba as our second home. Our home away from home, where we truly feel that we are among our brothers and sisters with whom we share an unbreakable bond of solidarity."
The president also paid a visit to the José Martí monument, where he laid a wreath.
Mbumba was honoured with the Order of José Martí, the highest national honour in Cuba, bestowed for outstanding service during the state visit.
To promote economic cooperation in the field of biotechnology research and manufacturing, Mbumba visited the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana.
He praised the centre for its research and manufacturing capabilities and emphasised the urgent need for scientific cooperation in biotechnology research between the centre and Namibian institutions.
Close partnership
According to the Office of the Presidency, Namibia and Cuba's cooperation spans various sectors, including health, education, tourism, transportation, construction and sports.
In July 2023, 173 Namibian medical students graduated from various universities in Cuba, while 49 dental students completed their studies in 2022. Another group of five Namibian medical students graduated in July 2024 in Cuba and have since returned to Namibia to practice their profession.
Mbumba also highlighted that “over the years our bilateral relations have grown in depth and strength. Testimony to this, are the 180 medical science graduates trained in Cuba, who are currently being integrated into our national health care system”.
He added a group of 33 Namibian youths arrived last month in Cuba to commence undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering and other technical fields.
“In the same way, we currently have 93 Cuban health professionals and 21 Cuban engineers and architects in Namibia, assisting the Namibian government to deliver quality health care, build housing and other essential public infrastructure for our people.”
The two countries have also collaborated in the fields of environment and tourism. Namibia donated wildlife to Cuba to boost its biodiversity and tourism efforts.
In sports, Cuba has provided Namibia with high-level specialists in wrestling and boxing.
– [email protected]
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