From Vision to Delivery: UN Eswatini Country Team Charts the Path for the UNSDCF 2026–2030

From 25 – 27 February, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Eswatini convened a strategic retreat at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, bringing together Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and members of the Programme Policy Support Group, alongside distinguished guest speakers from across the UN system, Government, and the private sector. 

The retreat marked a pivotal moment as the UN in Eswatini begins implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030, the final Cooperation Framework cycle before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Held under a forward-looking and results-oriented agenda, the retreat provided space for collective reflection on the evolving global, regional, and national development landscape. Participants examined the implications of shifting financing models, geopolitical uncertainty, climate pressures, and economic transitions for Eswatini’s development trajectory and for the strategic positioning of the UN system.

In his opening remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator noted that the retreat provided a timely opportunity to collectively assess Eswatini’s evolving development context - from the rollout of the UNSDCF 2026–2030 and the country’s renewed national ambitions, to a shifting global landscape that increasingly calls for reimagined development pathways. He underscored that, amid these changes, the United Nations remains firmly grounded in its core mandate: to support sustainable development that safeguards the vulnerable, protects the environment, and ensures that progress leaves no one behind. These principles, he stressed, continue to guide the UN’s partnership with the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The Honourable Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Thambo Gina, who also delivered opening remarks, emphasized that “while Eswatini remains firmly committed to its ambition of becoming a high-income country, persistent structural challenges continue to constrain inclusive and sustainable growth”. Dr. Gina stressed that the evolving global environment requires “business unusual” approaches to accelerate development progress and deliver tangible results for the people of Eswatini.

Guest speakers enriched the discussions during the retreat with diverse perspectives on pressing issues. Senior leaders from the UN system, including Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa; Ms. Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director - Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress Division, UNFCCC; and and Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, shared insights on Re-imagining Africa’s Development in a post Official Development Assistance Era, Implications of the Changing Development Landscape, and Climate Action and Climate Finance. 

Representing the private sector, Dr. Acha Leke, Chairman of McKinsey Africa and Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg, led a session on “Collective Sense-Making on Africa’s Development Trajectory,” presenting insights on Reimagining Economic Growth in Africa. Complementing this perspective, Mr. Muzi Siyaya, Managing Director of Ubombo Sugar Limited, shared reflections on Eswatini’s current economic position, its realistic growth potential, and the key conditions required to unlock competitiveness and credible co-investment pathways.

Led by Dr. Sharon Munyaka of the Presencing Institute, facilitated sessions on systems mapping and thematic deep-dives enabled the UN Country Team to examine internal coordination, resource alignment, and efficiency measures required to operate effectively within a changing funding landscape. These discussions reinforced the need for a more disciplined and collaborative delivery approach for 2026 and beyond, aligned with the national priority areas articulated in the Cabinet Declaration and reinforced in the Speech from the Throne by His Majesty King Mswati III. By consolidating comparative advantages and leveraging partnerships, the UN Country Team aims to deliver more coherent and impactful support that strengthens national systems and aligns closely with Government priorities in the final stretch toward Agenda 2030.

As the United Nations family in Eswatini moves from design to delivery of the new Cooperation Framework, the retreat reaffirmed a collective commitment to support the Kingdom’s development ambitions through strengthened partnerships, coordinated action, and greater accountability. The discussions underscored the importance of delivering as One UN to maximize impact, ensuring that progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals translates into tangible improvements in the lives of emaSwati.