UN Resident Coordinator stresses the role of the private sector in achieving SDGs at Business Eswatini Annual General Meeting

25 September 2019 – Stressing that “Governments alone cannot achieve the SDGs” UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh has called upon the private sector to play a greater role in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Eswatini.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Business Eswatini held in Mbabane on Friday, 20 September 2019, Ms. Ndongo-Seh expressed appreciation to the captains of industry for inviting her to their meeting, describing the gesture as yet another  clear demonstration of the deep appreciation, strong solidarity and strategic  partnership that govern the relationship between the United Nations family and the people of Eswatini.

The Resident Coordinator acknowledged the many development initiatives carried out by the private sector in Eswatini in key areas such as quality education, water and sanitation, industry, production and consumption, renewable energy as well as in facilitating a low carbon economy. “We see a world where the private sector, philanthropic organisations and other non-traditional actors are transformative partners in the elimination of poverty and inequality, and in the sustainable management of natural resources leading to the achievement of the SDGs ” she stated.

Ms. Ndongo-Seh encouraged the captains of industry to consider  public-private sector partnerships (PPPs), noting the PPP involving the UN, a developer and the Eswatini Government to build the premises that presently host the UN in Eswatini. While  stressing how the private sector could continue to improve the livelihoods of so many by creating jobs, providing life skills through internship and apprenticeship, generating earnings and secured incomes, empowering women, enhancing health and well-being through clean and safe working environment, she strongly encouraged the participants to create space for SMEs in their supply chains and to explore South-South cooperation as a strategy for partnering with others from the region who experience similar economic environments, challenges and opportunities only waiting to be unleashed. She reminded in this regard the motto “African solutions to African problems”   while commending Business Eswatini for recently entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Africa Chamber of Commerce

The Resident Coordinator urged the captains of industry to align their operations and strategies with universally accepted principles on human rights, child and labour rights, environment and anti-corruption in support of the SDGs. In conclusion, she reiterated the eagerness and commitment of the UN in Eswatini to partner with the private sector to accelerate the achievement of SDGs by 2030.

In his remarks, Business Eswatini CEO, Mr. Nathi Dlamini noted the unfavorable economic conditions that have prevailed in Eswatini in recent years which, he said, have inhibited the private sector’s ability to flourish. Dlamini stated that “the country finds itself in an unprecedented economic malaise, which has not only progressively deepened but has gone further to cause hardship to the business sector as a whole. It goes without saying that the country’s fiscal position is untenable, as demonstrated by gross domestic product growth which has persistently remained subdued for over three straight years, sometimes quoted as having dipped to below single digits.”

On a positive note, he highlighted that, at the recent ILO Convention in Geneva, Switzerland, officials mentioned to His Majesty King Mswati III, that Business Eswatini was the only member-based organisation (MBO) in SADC which was experiencing growth.

Mr. Dlamini underscored the need for stronger partnerships to allow for healthy alliances and economic growth, adding: “it is our belief that being relevant to the organisation’s members and building strong, healthy alliances with social partners is the stuff that will ensure longevity of the organization.”