Visioning & Strategic Prioritization Retreat Begins to Shape Eswatini's Sustainable Future

The Visioning & Strategic Prioritization Retreat for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026-2030 has officially commenced at Sibane Hotel in Ezulwini. The retreat, which runs from November 26 to 28, brings together key stakeholders to envision and set strategic priorities that will guide Eswatini's development efforts for the next five years.

The opening session, chaired by WHO Representative, Dr. Susan Tembo, was marked by inspiring remarks from various speakers who emphasized the importance of collaboration and collective vision for Eswatini's sustainable development. Mr. George Wachira, the UN Resident Coordinator, set the tone by emphasizing the critical juncture at which the world finds itself in pursuing the 2030 Agenda. He highlighted the importance of aligning UN support with national development goals, stressing that "the people of Eswatini expect more than just financial support—they expect tangible results."

On behalf of the Government of Eswatini, Ms. Thabsile Mlangeni, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD), emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between the UN and the Government in tackling development challenges. Ms. Siphiwe Dlamini, representing Chief Economist Sifiso Mamba as Principal Economist at MEPD, presented an overview of the evolving development context in Eswatini, outlining key challenges and opportunities for partnership.

Today's session also featured an overview of the Cooperation Framework (CF) development process by Mr. Benjamin Ofosu-Koranteng, Head of Office in the Resident Coordinator's Office. He outlined the milestones, coordination mechanisms, and the implications of the CF 2021-2025 evaluation. Mr. Ofosu-Koranteng emphasized that the next iteration of the UNSDCF will build upon the strengths of the previous framework while addressing critical gaps such as limited stakeholder engagement and the need for stronger coherence.

The morning continued with a presentation of the 2024 Common Country Analysis (CCA) findings by the PPSG CCA Task Team. This set the foundation for understanding the national development priorities, as participants engaged in an open dialogue led by Ms. Vimbainashe Mukota from the Africa Peer Support Group. The discussion refined key development challenges and aimed to ensure no one is left behind in the process.

In the afternoon, participants shifted gears towards envisioning "The Eswatini We Want" by 2050. Under the chairmanship of UNFPA Head of Office, Ms. Margaret Thwala-Tembe, stakeholders from various sectors, including government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, worked collectively to articulate a shared vision for sustainable development. Group discussions focused on plausible scenarios for Eswatini's future, identifying high-level goals that could help address existing inequalities and foster resilience.

Ms. Vimbainashe Mukota, together with all participants, facilitated an interactive session to define a shared vision, ensuring the voices of the youth and marginalized communities were central to the discussion. The day ended with key takeaways and a summary of the agreed priorities, marking a strong start to this transformative exercise.

As the retreat continues, participants will identify strategic priorities for the UNSDCF 2026-2030 and define outcome statements and outputs that will be foundational for the new Cooperation Framework. Tomorrow’s session, chaired by UNDP, will focus on narrowing down key priorities and crafting catalytic solutions that can propel Eswatini towards its development goals.

The Visioning & Strategic Prioritization Retreat represents a pivotal opportunity for the UN in Eswatini, the government, and stakeholders to align efforts towards a common goal—a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Eswatini by 2030.