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. 

The Kingdom of Eswatini hosted its inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Indaba and Annual Research Conference, a collaborative initiative led by the Ministry of Information Communications and Technology (MICT) and the Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS). Held under the theme, "Harnessing Science, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable National Development," the event brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and international partners at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini.Representing the Minister of ICT, the Under Secretary, Ms. Macanjana Motsa, highlighted Eswatini's commitment to transitioning from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. She emphasized the critical role of innovation, science, and technology in addressing national challenges and driving economic growth. Notable achievements, such as the enactment of the 2023 National Research Council Act and the redefinition of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) as an innovation agency, were underscored as transformative milestones.UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira, reinforced the importance of AI as a tool for addressing Eswatini’s socio-economic challenges, including high youth unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity. He called for strategic investments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and emphasized leveraging Eswatini’s youthful population for innovation-driven development. Wachira also shared UN-backed initiatives like the Youth Leadership and Sustainable Energy Academy (YLSEA) and smart agriculture projects that integrate AI technologies to optimize productivity,The event featured panel discussions, paper presentations, and an awards segment recognizing scientific excellence, including the prestigious Scientist of the Year Award. Attendees included representatives from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) of South Africa, and researchers from various institutions.Looking ahead, Ms. Motsa announced plans for the development of Eswatini’s National AI Strategy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategy in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. These frameworks will guide Eswatini’s integration of AI into key sectors like education, health, and agriculture to foster sustainable development.The conference underscored Eswatini’s determination to harness the transformative power of AI, fostering collaboration across academia, government, and industry to position the nation as a leader in innovation within the region.

With a call for unity and decisive action, Eswatini marked the national launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at the UN House in Mbabane. The annual campaign, running from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), brings global attention to the fight against violence targeting women and girls.This year’s theme, “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” urges collective action and meaningful investments to combat GBV, highlighting the urgency of addressing the systemic challenges that perpetuate this crisis. The event underscored the power of partnerships and the importance of translating awareness into action.The Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane emphasized the need for societal transformation, reflecting on recent tragic cases of GBV reported in the media. She called on all Emaswati to “unite against gender-based violence” and commit to making Eswatini a safe space for women and girls.UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira reiterated the UN’s support in addressing GBV. He praised the government’s commitment to tackling the issue through initiatives like the Nkwe Programme of Action and the National Gender Policy and Strategy (2023-2027). “Let us unite, invest, and act until this fight is won,” he urged.The campaign launch called for a whole-of-society approach to end GBV. Communities were urged to challenge harmful cultural norms, such as tibi tendlu, which perpetuates the idea that domestic violence is a private matter. Speakers called for stronger prevention strategies, survivor support systems, and accountability mechanisms for perpetrators.While notable progress has been achieved through coordinated national policies, persistent challenges such as climate change, inflation, and deeply entrenched societal norms continue to exacerbate GBV. Leaders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to sustained action beyond the 16 days of the campaign.The 16 Days of Activism serves as a reminder that violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable. The campaign will feature community dialogues, educational workshops, and advocacy initiatives designed to engage all sectors of society in creating safer environments for women and girls.The Acting Deputy Prime Minister closed with a rallying call: “Together, let us end gender-based violence. Let us make Eswatini a safe space for all women and girls.”To conclude the launch, Wachira delivered a poignant poem, drawing parallels between Eswatini’s fight against GBV and its leadership in combating HIV/AIDS. His words inspired hope and called for unity, action, and resilience in the face of challenges.The campaign will continue with events across the country, culminating on 10 December 2024. Citizens, civil society, and development partners are encouraged to participate and amplify the message that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights and an obstacle to development.

The validation workshop for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Evaluation Report brought together over 50 key stakeholders, including members of the Joint National Steering Committee (JNSC), to assess Eswatini’s development journey under the UNSDCF 2021-2025. The workshop, chaired by both the Honourable Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Thambo Gina, and the UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira, emphasized partnership and strategic reflection as Eswatini advances toward achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.As Evaluation Manager, the UNDP Resident Representative, Henrik Franklin, introduced the UNSDCF evaluation and reaffirmed the UN’s shared commitment to supporting Eswatini’s national development priorities, emphasizing the value of lessons learned in guiding future efforts.As one of the first African countries to implement the UNSDCF 2021-2025, Eswatini served as a continental pacesetter, overcoming significant challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Tropical Cyclone Eloise, and civil unrest.Reflecting on this journey, Dr. Gina praised the collaborative spirit that underpinned the framework's implementation, stating, “Today’s validation marks a pivotal step, reflecting our unwavering dedication to a just, prosperous, and resilient Eswatini. Your continued partnership has been essential in steering us toward shared development goals despite various challenges.”UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira highlighted Eswatini’s pioneering role as one of the first African nations to also evaluate the UNSDCF, stating: “A key learning point for us would be to hear from the evaluation findings, and from yourselves as the JNSC and partners, whether the design and execution of the CF had enough inbuilt flexibility to allow for effective context responsiveness.”He also expressed his gratitude to the many key actors in the room, stating: “Thank you, Minister Gina and your entire team, as well as other ministries that we work with. Thank you to all the Member States, some present here, who provide funding to the UN globally and, even more specifically, those that provide funding to UN Eswatini. Thank you to our civil society partners for supporting the SDG agenda through partnership. Thank you to the private sector, both for creating opportunities and prosperity, and for those that have also directly supported the work of the UN. Many thanks, too, to the research and academic institutions for your partnership.”The workshop’s open dialogue then allowed stakeholders to share candid reflections on the UNSDCF’s progress. Bongani Makama, representing the Federation of Disabled Eswatini, raised a critical point about inclusivity: “While the UNSDCF is a valuable tool for national progress, we need clearer guidance on incorporating the needs of people with disabilities.” His remarks reinforced the need to ensure the framework addresses all population groups comprehensively.Nombuso Dlamini from Economic Planning and Development emphasized the significance of robust data, noting that “data’s strength lies in showcasing our achievements and identifying areas needing reinforcement.” This sentiment was echoed by Victor Mahlalela, CEO of the National Disaster Management Agency, who advocated for revisiting the scope of projects under the UNSDCF to encompass broader developmental areas that may have initially been excluded.E. Nathi Dlamini, CEO of Business Eswatini, highlighted the mismatch between youth skills and job market demands, observing, “We have a highly skilled youth population that remains unemployed due to a skills gap within the private sector.”The feedback workshop provided a valuable platform for refining the UNSDCF and underscored two key priorities: fostering collaborative partnerships beyond traditional donor roles and accelerating progress through innovative, adaptable solutions. Dr. Gina expressed his optimism for the country’s developmental future, underscoring that these collective efforts would lay a strong foundation for achieving the SDGs. As the workshop wrapped up, participants reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening Eswatini’s UNSDCF framework, paving the way for a more prosperous, resilient Eswatini.