The Kingdom of Eswatini and the Global Fund have launched the implementation of the seventh cycle of grants, valued at USD 46.7 million, to continue the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, and to strengthen health and community systems in the country.The event, held at the Royal Swazi Spa Convention Centre, was attended by senior government officials, representatives from the Global Fund, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders. Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla presided over the ceremony, with the UN Resident Coordinator represented by Mr. Deepak Shah, Head of Office for the World Food Programme (WFP).In her keynote address, Acting Prime Minister Dladla commended the longstanding partnership between Eswatini and the Global Fund, which began at a critical juncture in the country’s history. “The fight against HIV, TB, and malaria has not been an easy one for our nation. However, our partnership with the Global Fund rekindled hope and resilience within our healthcare system,” she said, acknowledging the cumulative investment of over USD 388 million since the partnership began in 2002​.Mr. Deepak Shah, representing the UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the transformative impact of the Global Fund’s support in Eswatini. “The launch of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 marks a new chapter in our collective efforts to combat these diseases. Together, we have made significant strides, and we must now align our efforts with broader global and national development priorities to achieve a healthier and more equitable future for all emaSwati,” he stated​.The Global Fund’s Head of Grant Management, Mr. Mark Edington, also expressed appreciation for the strong commitment shown by the government and people of Eswatini. He recognized the critical role of the Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA), the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organizations (CANGO), and all in-country partners in advancing the fight against the three diseases​.The new grants will be implemented over a three-year period (2024-2027) and will focus on achieving universal access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment, reducing TB mortality rates, and enhancing malaria control through comprehensive vector management. This funding will also support the strengthening of health systems, including medical oxygen infrastructure and community engagement, to ensure a resilient healthcare system capable of responding to future health challenges​.The event featured testimonials from beneficiaries of the Global Fund’s previous support, emphasizing the life-changing impact on individuals and communities across Eswatini. The Minister of Health, Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula, noted that the support from the Global Fund has significantly improved access to essential health services and laid the groundwork for systemic improvements that will benefit generations to come​.The launch ceremony concluded with a symbolic signing of the grant agreements, underscoring the commitment of the Government of Eswatini and the Global Fund to continue working together to improve health outcomes for all emaSwati.For more information on the Global Fund and its work in Eswatini, please visit Global Fund website.

The United Nations in Eswatini has launched its first sectoral consultation workshop as part of the ongoing Common Country Analysis (CCA) process, a key component in the development of the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2026-2030. With over 60 participants in attendance, the consultation aimed to address the challenges faced by vulnerable population groups left behind in the country's socio-economic development.Opening the session, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Nessie Golakai, representing Henrik Franklin, Chair of the inter-agency Policy and Programmes Support Group (PPSG), emphasized the importance of data-driven analysis and stakeholder engagement in shaping a truly inclusive development strategy. "Our goal is to create a development strategy that leaves no one behind in Eswatini's progress," she stated.The consultation, facilitated by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, provided a comprehensive overview of the CCA process and its role in informing the upcoming UNSDCF. Participants engaged in detailed discussions on key population groups at risk of being left behind, including women and girls, children and youth, persons with disabilities, key populations such as the LGBTQI+ community, migrants and refugees, and the elderly.Group work sessions allowed participants to delve deeper into the issues affecting these groups, providing data and recommendations to enrich the CCA draft. Key highlights included:Children: Addressing malnutrition, stunting, limited healthcare access, and the impact of school food choices and parenting on well-being.Elderly: Tackling gaps in social protection, healthcare, and digital inclusion, with a focus on establishing old age homes.Key Populations and LGBTQI+ Community: Addressing legal barriers, discrimination, and violence, and advocating for policy reforms.Persons with Disabilities: Improving legal frameworks, healthcare, and education access while enhancing economic empowerment.Migrants and Refugees: Strengthening legal protections, resource allocation, and addressing xenophobia and trafficking.Women: Combating gender-based violence, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing political representation.Youth: Addressing unemployment, educational gaps, and enhancing youth participation in decision-making processes.The consultation reaffirmed the UN's commitment to working collaboratively with the government and stakeholders to create a development framework that meets the needs of all. "This is about a collective effort to create a more inclusive Eswatini," Golakai concluded.The sectoral consultations will continue over the coming days, setting the stage for a robust UNSDCF that truly leaves no one behind. 

 The National Agricultural Investment Forum, a landmark event aimed at mobilizing resources and stakeholders to transform Eswatini's agricultural sector, was officially opened today at The George Hotel in Manzini. The two-day forum, held under the theme "Mobilising Partners for Agri-Food Systems Transformation," brings together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to discuss the revitalization of the agricultural sector.In his opening address, His Excellency Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini emphasized the crucial role agriculture plays in Eswatini's economy, highlighting the government's ambitious plans to achieve an annual economic growth rate of 12% through collaborative efforts across sectors. "Agriculture remains one of the most significant sectors in Eswatini, and the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, along with its stakeholders, are critical to driving this growth," said the Prime Minister. He also stressed the importance of inclusivity, particularly in engaging the youth in agricultural initiatives, and underscored the need for investment in infrastructure and innovative practices to mitigate the effects of climate change.The forum showcases Eswatini’s progress in aligning national agricultural policies with international standards, including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Prime Minister noted that the Eswatini National Agricultural Investment Plan (ENAIP) is central to the country's goal of achieving food security and promoting export-oriented commercial production.Mr. Deepak Shah, the UN Resident Coordinator Ad Interim, reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to supporting Eswatini's agricultural transformation. "The UN, through various programmes and partnerships, is dedicated to ensuring food availability, accessibility, and affordability for all," he stated. Mr. Shah also highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and empowering marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, to enhance food security and community resilience.The forum has facilitated critical discussions on investment opportunities in Eswatini's agricultural value chains, with presentations from various sectors, including livestock, crops, and horticulture. The government, with support from development partners like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is working to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in agriculture through initiatives such as the Eswatini Agricultural Development Fund (EADF) and strategic partnerships with international organizations.As the forum progresses, participants are optimistic about the future of Eswatini’s agriculture sector. "This event provides a platform for stakeholders to engage meaningfully, and we are confident that the partnerships formed here will translate into tangible outcomes that will drive agricultural transformation in Eswatini," remarked Prime Minister Dlamini.The National Agricultural Investment Forum marks a significant step forward in Eswatini’s journey towards achieving sustainable agricultural growth and ensuring food security for all emaSwati. The UN remains committed to working alongside the government and other partners to achieve these shared goals.

 The annual Green Indaba concluded with a commitment to shifting the focus from problems to solutions to transform Eswatini into a low-carbon and climate resilient economy. The two-day conference, held between 22 and 23 August, was a collaborative effort between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, SNG Grant Thornton, and the United Nations. Its main goal is to support the government’s and private sector’s efforts to promote climate-smart investments in Eswatini. The Indaba saw a diverse group of participants – government officials, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, development partners and ordinary citizens – come together to voice ideas, share experiences, and co-create solutions to some of the most pressing challenges, such as climate change, unemployment, slow economic growth, and gender inequality. Delegates at the second edition of the Indaba concurred that while policies and strategies are in place to create climate-resilient food systems, there is a need for targeted implementation. They also resolved with a solid purpose to intentionally promote youth-centred and gender transformative actions to accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation. Delegates called for increased collaboration within and among different public and private sectors and called for smart and sustainable financing solutions to promote Private Public Partnerships (PPPs). After considering the importance of financing in the transition to a green economy, delegates resolved to explore various funding options, including mobilising local resources aligned with greening the economy. They also aimed to leverage the Greening the Central Bank Project, which seeks to position the Central Bank of Eswatini as a pioneering financial institution that promotes an effective transition to green financial services in the country. This initiative aligns the country’s development pathway with Eswatini’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), also referred to as the climate action plan, and the National Development Plan. Under the NDC Partnership, the Central Bank has partnered with UNDP to implement this project.The SNG Grant Thornton Partner, Vusi Nkabindze, observed that the delegates have said the right things and identified the gaps. “Now is the time to ask ourselves if we are willing to do the necessary and come up with measurable and implementable solutions,” he said. The United Nations Resident Coordinator, George Wachira, shared similar sentiments, adding that the discussions have underscored the importance of aligning our efforts, maximising our resources, and moving forward with a well-defined low-carbon and climate change resilient development framework. He was represented by UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin. He emphasised that the NDCs were central to the discussion and are key to efforts to transition to a low-carbon and climate change resilient economy, highlighting that the climate action plan requires investment from both the public and private sectors.“We need to streamline the implementation of our NDCs, ensuring that every stakeholder – government, business, and civil society – is actively involved in driving these efforts forward. This is not just an environmental imperative; it is an economic and social necessity,” he said. He reminded delegates that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a universally agreed framework for achieving sustainability, both here in Eswatini and globally, although there is a staggering $3.9 trillion financing gap for SDG implementation globally. “This figure should not deter us; rather, it should motivate us to be more innovative and collaborative in mobilising resources,” he said. Wachira said the Green Indaba has identified several key areas of intervention that provide low-hanging fruit for greening Eswatini’s economy. These include electrifying health facilities through renewable energy technologies, investing in clean cooking options for households and schools – particularly the school feeding programme –  climate-smart agriculture; including irrigation schemes and drought tolerant seed varieties, and development of innovative financial instruments such as  green bonds, to mention a few. “These initiatives are not just about reducing emissions; they are about improving lives, creating jobs, and building a healthier, more equitable and resilient society,” he added. In her closing remarks, the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, committed to reporting the Indaba's recommendations to the Cabinet and to continuing to uphold the Ministry's role in creating an enabling environment. “We need to ensure that justice for all exists as we make the necessary changes to our policies and actions,” she said, adding: “Hence, just transition has become a key aspect for consideration as we talk climate action, and we consider just energy transition to be just one aspect of just transition.” The minister further emphasised the need to leave no one behind. She said green businesses, as the youth observed, need to be profitable and sustainable if uptake is to be improved. She added that technology, training, and financing, which came up throughout the discussions, should be considered cross-cutting issues and given attention in future deliberations. She further expressed gratitude to all partners, including the ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Health; SNG Grant Thornton; UN; Central Bank of Eswatini; Financial Services Regulatory Authority; Eswatini Stock Exchange; University of Eswatini; Global Reporting Initiative, USAID and WanderPort Networks.