Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba expressed agreement with China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, calling on the world to leave behind inequality and the domination of one country over others.
In September, Mbumba visited Beijing to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the largest diplomatic event China has hosted in recent years, with the highest rate of attendance by foreign leaders. The summit ran from Sept 4 to 6 with the goal of deepening ties and outlining future cooperation between China and Africa.
So many African leaders attended the event because they understand the global trend of development and the importance of multilateralism, said the president in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) that aired Friday.
"Development will take place. But the question is, is this development for the welfare of the people and the benefit of the world, or is [it] for selfish ends? And that is what we have to avoid. We have to work together, cooperate together and build a shared prosperity for all people, for all nations," he said.
In Mbumba's view, the greatest hindrance to the realization of an equal and just world is a global power structure dependent on the exploitation of developing countries.
"I think the inequality of the past, the domination of other countries and other people of the past, we should leave that behind and truly and honestly work together to develop. We don't need to be engaged in funny politics of destroying one another or robbing one another's minerals or countries, but to cooperate together and benefit all of us," said Mbumba.
"For some people to think that they are the only one, their country is the only one that matters, and the lives of their people is the only thing that matters, other people, you can get rid of them [and] it is not important. It is very, very important that humanity accepts that we are one, that we better learn how to cooperate, how to work together," he said.
The Namibian president pointed to China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative as viable alternatives to existing hegemonic paradigms.
"I think it is very, very important that through the initiative like that by honest people representing strong, honest principles, they are worthy of pursuing, they are worthy of respecting. And we should work, all of us, work together, to make humanity at this level of development, all the world, to live in peace, to be able to live the lives our grandparents or great-great grandparents could not have imagined," Mbumba said.
Namibia stands in agreement with China's vision for shared prosperity: president
Lebanon has received medical and relief aid from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday, with an additional aid plane carrying 55 tons of supplies arriving from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The first shipment was welcomed by Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad who emphasized the importance of this support.
"We are here at Rafic Hariri Airport in Beirut, receiving a shipment of medical supplies and medicines for the war-wounded, prepared by the WHO and the UNHCR, with the support from the UAE. An air bridge will be established from the UAE, with another plane coming today loaded with 55 tons of aid," said Firas Abiad, Lebanese Health Minister.
The delivery of aid was attended by representatives from both the WHO and UNHCR, who expressed their support for Lebanon and called on the international community to help with de-escalation efforts.
"I think the WHO and the UN system in general, we are committed to alleviating the pressure for Lebanon and the people of Lebanon as well as other people who are vulnerable, people who are living in the country into that. And we stand by with the government and also for the people of Lebanon to overcome this challenge," said Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon.
"This is the time for the international community, first of all, to bring an end to conflict and hostilities. In the absence thereof, we all need to ramp up and show solidarity and bring in more resources. And all organizations, the government needs support and all humanitarian organizations need further financial support. So, we call on donors to respond to the flash appeal, the emergency appeal in a very expedient and comprehensive manner," said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon.
The National News Agency (NNA) reported on Friday that Italy granted 17 million euros (around 18.65 million U.S. dollars) to support the civilian population affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the news agency said Britain is boosting its humanitarian support for Lebanon with an additional 10 million pounds (about 13.12 million dollars).
Among those affected, children bore the brunt of the conflict, which has dramatically escalated between Israel and Hezbollah across Lebanon these days.
More than 690 children have reportedly been injured in Lebanon over the past six weeks. The most common injuries they suffered include concussions and traumatic brain injuries from the impact of blasts, shrapnel wounds, limb injuries, and hearing loss, according to a statement by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Meanwhile, it is estimated that more than 400,000 children have been displaced from their homes.
UNICEF urged the international community to mobilize humanitarian support and ensure that supply routes into Lebanon remain open, allowing for the rapid and safe delivery of life-saving aid to needy children. It also called for an urgent ceasefire and protection of children by all parties.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported on Thursday that a total of 1,974 people have been killed, including 127 children and 261 women, and 9,384 others wounded in Lebanon since the onset of the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict in October last year.
Lebanon receives aid from WHO, UN refugee agency
