Eswatini’s Hosts its First Development Cooperation Forum Meeting with Over 70 Attendees

On the 17th of March 2021, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development successfully hosted the first meeting of the recently established Eswatini Development Cooperation Forum (EDCF).

The virtual high-level meeting with 75 connections from development partners within and outside the country was attended by UN officials Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions, Principal Secretaries and senior government officials, civil society representatives, captains of industry as well as representatives development finance institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank.

The Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Tambo Gina, who presided over the meeting, noted that the participation of partners was evidence of the strong collaboration and effective partnerships the Government enjoyed with its development partners. “It reaffirms that development cooperation is an enabler for sustainable development,” said the Minister.

Dr. Gina encouraged partners to bring key issues to the next meeting planned as a two-day conference in June 2021. “May I clarify that the normal practice is that members of the forum bring key issues for discussion,” he said. “For this particular meeting only the Government was given a chance to present progress on key interventions. We expect that in the future partners will bring presentations to the agenda.”

The meeting had two sessions. One on socio-economic issues and the other on the COVID-19 response and experience. The first session, moderated by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Mr. Bheki Bhembe, gave an overview of the macroeconomic environment and progress on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pirncipal Macroeconomist, Ms. Nombuso Dlamini, stated, in her presentation, that Eswatini’s economy had contracted by 2.4% as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. She however noted that the economy was now on a recovery trajectory and is projected to grow by the same 2.4% in 2021.

Principal Economist, Ms. Lungile Mndzebele, expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated already existing inequalities and levels of poverty. She observed that Eswatini may not be on track on achieve the SDGs under inclusive economic growth. She also decried the negative impact on vulnerable groups, especially children who have been affected by the closure of schools.

The second session, moderated by the Principal Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), Mr. Makhosini Mndawe, had three presentations which focussed on the humanitarian response, vaccine rollout plans and Covid-19 Recovery Needs Assessment. National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Russell Dlamini, updated the meeting on the humanitarian impacts, mitigation and coping measures and funding status. He revealed that despite all the support received from development partners and individuals, there was still a shortfall of USD 13million to ensure an effective COVID-19 humanitarian response. He mentioned that the country was in the process of applying for a USD5 million loan from the World Bank in this regard.

Dr. Bongiwe Malinga, who presented on behalf of the Ministry of Health, noted that a lot needed to be done to dispel public misconceptions and fears to take the AstraZeneca vaccines which have already arrived in the country.

The UN in Eswatini has strongly supported the operationalisation of the 2016 Aid Coordination Policy which was adopted by the Cabinet in November 2019. As a result the UN family in Eswatini was delighted  to see the first meeting called to implement  provisions of the policy, and praises the minister of MEPD and his team for a very substantive and informative meeting that will enhance efforts made by the UN development system in Eswatini to advance Agenda 2030 with Government partners and all actors.