Namibia and South Africa are preparing for the 4th session of their Bi-National Commission (BNC) on 17 July, with the long-running Orange River boundary question among the key issues likely to form part of the talks.
The meeting comes after previous BNC discussions that examined the matter through a joint technical and legal process while also reviewing wider bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and regional diplomacy.
The Orange River issue has remained one of the most sensitive items in relations between the two neighbouring countries.
In 2023, the then international relations minister and deputy prime minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, urged that the long-running Orange River border dispute be addressed during bilateral talks between Namibia and South Africa, asking council members to discuss ways to resolve the matter.
At previous committee-level meetings under the BNC framework, officials reviewed the work of a joint committee of experts tasked with examining the boundary question and related legal and diplomatic issues.
The discussions were aimed at finding a cooperative way forward on a matter that has historic, legal and practical implications for both countries.
In earlier engagements, Namibia and South Africa also used the BNC platform to take stock of implementation of past decisions and to strengthen coordination on matters of mutual interest.
These included economic cooperation, infrastructure, and positions on regional and continental issues.
The process has been described as part of a broader effort to give practical effect to agreements reached at the head-of-state level.
The Orange River boundary remains central because of its implications for access to water and land use along the shared frontier.
For Namibia, the issue carries significance not only in legal terms, but also in relation to development planning, agriculture and resource management in the south of the country.
South Africa, meanwhile, has continued to engage through the established bilateral mechanisms as both sides seek a peaceful and mutually acceptable outcome.
The BNC is expected to provide an opportunity for both governments to assess progress made since the previous meeting and set priorities for the next phase of cooperation.
Beyond the Orange River matter, the 17th July commission is also expected to strengthen bilateral economic ties and support business-to-business engagement.
During bilateral discussions in June this year, the two leaders pointed out the important role of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission in driving bilateral cooperation and in monitoring the implementation of agreed programmes and initiatives.
The BNC has over the years served as a platform not only for political dialogue but also for advancing trade, investment and regional integration between the two neighbours.