King urges nation to accelerate efforts towards SDGs

His Majesty King Mswati III opened the second session of the eleventh parliament by calling upon everyone to work harder in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) with 10 years remaining. “The SDGs are our shared vision to end poverty and rescue the planet. With only 10 years remaining to achieve these goals, like other world leaders, I call upon everyone to work harder in accelerating efforts towards ending all forms of poverty and inequalities,” stated the King in his State of the Nation Address.

In a wide-ranging address, King Mswati also challenged the nation to tackle climate chage and ensure that no one is left behind. “Hunger is on the rise, greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb, and those at risk continue to be most affected by conflict, inequality and justice,” stated the King.

His Majesty expressed concern that the African continent continues to experience instability causing a lot of tensions and human suffering. He urged the African Union and the United Nations to work together in brining world peace and order. “We should find an African solution to solve Africa’s challenges and conflicts. This will promote the attainment of the African we want by 2063,” he said.

The King noted that tensions were contributing to global economic instability and stagnating the attainment of the SDGs as well as the national development agenda.

He further challenged EmaSwati to remain focused and purposeful in attaining first world status by 2020 as per national vision and aspiration. “Let us tap into the enormous potential that our collective attributes provide to mould an impenetrable circle of trust in our capabilities to create a society of visionaries, optimists, entrepreneurs, and active citizens with first world mindsets and out of the box thinkers,” stated the King. “Let us not be stalled in our journey towards 2022 by non-developmental issues as this would be to surrender ourselves to poverty, hunger and disease. This is not the Eswatini we want.”

His Majesty reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment towards peaceful international relations and cooperation, emphasizing the philosophy  of his father, King Sobhuza II, of “a friend to all and enemy to none.” King Sobhuza placed emphasis on a world anchored on peace, dialogue, respect and common shared values. “Guided by these, the Kingdom will continue to work towards establishing and maintaining good international relations with current and new bilateral and multilateral partners,” he said.