Malaysia and Namibia agree to strengthen cooperation in mineral and energy sectors, focusing on value chain development and ESG principles.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Namibia have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the mineral and energy sectors, including initiating negotiations towards the signing of a specific memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive the sustainable development of the industry’s value chain.
As an instrument for forward implementation, both parties have agreed to initiate engagement at the technical level between the relevant agencies to draft the related MoU.
“This formal cooperation framework is expected to drive technology transfer, capacity building, and expertise exchange covering the fields of geosciences, resource management and mine rehabilitation,” said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRES) in a statement.
The ministry said that the effort will also be supported through industry-to-industry collaborations to strengthen a sustainable investment ecosystem.
According to NRES, the bilateral meeting between Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and the Republic of Namibia Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Selma Ashipala-Musavyi yesterday was an important manifestation in strengthening bilateral relations and exploring the potential for strategic cooperation.
The high-level discussions focused on the potential synergies in the energy sector and industrial materials processing, particularly in the context of the global energy transition and mineral sector development.
NRES said that Namibia, which is rich in upstream mineral resources such as lithium, uranium and rare earth elements (REE), has expressed its desire to leverage Malaysia’s expertise in developing the industrial value chain for these resources.
“This cooperation aligns with the policies of both countries to reduce dependence on raw material exports and shift towards midstream and downstream processing to generate higher economic value,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, both parties also emphasised their commitment to the principles of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), stressing that the development of the mining sector must be balanced with the preservation of environmental sustainability and responsible mining practices.
As a partner country from the Global South, NRES said the meeting also reflects a consensus of views on international geopolitical issues, including full support for the right to self-determination and the liberation of the Palestinian state.
“The ministry is fully confident that this official visit and the discussions will build a balanced, practical, and strong partnership between Malaysia and Namibia,” added the statement.