Eswatini Statement at the United Nations 2023 SDG Summit

Mr. President,

Your Excellences,

Heads of State,

The United Nations Secretary General

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of His Majesty the King, Mswati III, the Indlovukazi and the entire people of Eswatini, it is an honour for me to address this seventy-eighth United Nations General Assembly where we have come to renew our commitment to the implementation and acceleration of Agenda 2030, i.e. SDGs. 

Mr. President, first and foremost, let me congratulate the United Nation for steering the SDG Agenda with such a high level of dedication and conviction. We have walked this journey since adoption in 2015 and now we are at the mid-term of the implementation period.

Like many other countries Eswatini has had mixed experiences with SDG implementation, both encouraging and challenging in equal measure.  Some of the areas of promise include health, education, energy, whilst challenges abound in poverty, food security, employment and many others. And indeed, the multiple crises the world has experienced, and continue to experience have watered down some of the gains made over the years.

It is therefore very befitting that we are holding this forward-looking Summit, aimed at SDG recovery and forging a way forward. Mr. President, the Kingdom of Eswatini stands with the rest of the World in committing to accelerate progress in the implementation of the SDGs.

1. We have identified SDG 8, in particular target 8.5 on job creation across industries as one of the priority areas of focus in the remaining period. Investing in this goal would optimise progress across many other SDGs. Analysis shows that the positive impacts of SDG 8.5 on other SDG would be profound, with potential to reduce food insecurity, improve access to education, health, water, electricity, facilitate civil registration and many others.  In creating jobs, we will ensure that we prioritise emerging sectors such as green jobs for the youth.  These have positive spinoffs on reducing crime, violence, civil unrest, substance abuse, political extremism and many other social ills.
2. We have therefore put together an SDG Recovery and Acceleration Plan costing over E30billion (about US$ 1.6 billion) covering diverse areas including digital transformation, renewable energy, agriculture, industrial expansion, transformation of the education system, social protection, health, environment and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
3. Among the job creation efforts is to upscale the Youth Empowerment Programme and Active Labour Market Programme, which provides internships mostly for our young people so they can gain the skills needed for the job market.  For those with an inclination towards business, the programme equips them with relevant skills and the mentorship they need to help them navigate that space.  The plan is that job creation should transcend through all the programmes in the Recovery and Acceleration Plan as we will ensure that we implement everything with a lens firmly focused on jobs.
4. We will also improve our social security programmes through establishing a National Social Registry, which is a smart data base of all the beneficiaries in our social protection schemes.  
5. We will also pay particular attention to investing in agriculture because of its importance to the majority of our people in terms of food security and employment creation.  In doing so we will promote gender equity, technological advancement, innovation and creativity.
6. We will use digital transformation as a vehicle for ensuring that no one is left behind.  Therefore, programmes for improving access to reliable and high-speed internet for business, the general public, and schools, particularly rural schools will also be implemented.
7. Mr.  President, we have also reviewed our coordination structures in line with the whole of society approach in order to be inclusive in the acceleration, review, follow-up and reporting on the SDGs.
8. Working in collaboration with development partners, government will strengthen efforts to ensure collection of disaggregated, timely and accurate data that will inform decisions, plans and resource allocation. As signatory to the SDG’s reporting and follow-up mechanism, Eswatini will continue to share progress achieved in global and regional platforms in order to allow for learning and continuous improvements.
9. In conclusion, let me assure this Summit that for the remaining 7 years, Eswatini will continue to prioritize the implementation of the SDGs so that they remain the core agenda for the country’s development. The SDGs will be the guiding star that shapes national policies, budgets, institutions and national and sector strategies.

          I thank you Mr. President.