BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE—Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as well as issues raised at Sibaya were among the topics that were discussed by the United Nations (UN) Country Team with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
Today, the PM received a courtesy visit from the UN Country Team in Eswatini. Other matters discussed were areas of cooperation and possible cooperation between Eswatini and the UN. The PM appreciated the UN Country Team for the courtesy visit, highlighting that a lot of changes were going to be implemented by the new government in the next five years to promote “excellence, patriotism, and mindset change.
“He said, “I would like you to go along with us as we implement these changes because they are not only important, but we see them as the only way to fast-track development and improve the lives of the people of Eswatini. We are doing things differently this time,” the Prime Minister said.
The PM also asked the UN Country Team to represent Eswatini well in the global space and tell the world about Eswatini’s “Democratic Tinkhundla system of governance.”
He further emphasised the need to focus resources on national programmes and “major programmes of impact.” Dlamini then asked the UN Country Team to consider increasing the size and capacity of the Office of the Food and Agriculture Organisation to assist Eswatini in developing a transformative national programme for agriculture.
In response, the UN Resident Coordinator, H.E. George Wachira, said the areas of cooperation that the UN would like to strengthen with Eswatini include development financing, coordination, procurement, climate financing, human rights, and governance, among others.
It’s also worth mentioning that during the meeting, Eswatini was also commended for committing to action on Sibaya submissions and for efforts made to address the health challenges facing the country. The country was also challenged to urgently set up a resource mobilisation mission on drought response, for which the UN was willing to assist. The UN also pledged to support Eswatini in setting up an Essential Healthcare Package to help the country ensure quality healthcare services.
Wachira also conveyed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ congratulatory message to the Prime Minister through a letter.
