BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini wants the issues of unplanned settlements to be addressed in the country’s urban areas.
The premier, who was represented by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, has today (Wednesday, October 30, 2024) called upon all relevant stakeholders to also address the lack of infrastructure that was prevalent in the country’s urban areas. Other issues that need to be addressed include the pressures that were experienced on housing and services in urban areas, according to the premier.
The prime minister said this during the opening of the Eswatini National Urban Forum, which was held at Royal Villas in Ezulwini. The premier made this call so that cities could be places that could be sustainable, so that even future generations could make use of them. According to the prime minister, 25 percent of the country’s population lives in urban areas.
“In Eswatini, approximately 25 percent of our population now resides in urban areas, and this percentage continues to grow. This presents us with unique opportunities, but also challenges that require urgent attention. The lack of infrastructure, unplanned settlements, and the pressures on housing and services are issues we must tackle head on,” the prime minister said.
According to the premier, the theme of this forum, ‘Sustainable Urbanisation in Eswatini: Working Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda, and Agenda 2063,’ captured the essence of Eswatini’s collective efforts to shape a future where cities and towns were not only hubs of economic growth but also models of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.
The prime minister said Eswatini’s participation at the inaugural Africa Urban Forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, earlier this year underscored Eswatini’s commitment to the broader goals of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Africa Urban Forum Declaration, adopted at that conference, called for inclusive and climate-resilient urbanisation across the continent.
“This declaration will be our continent’s voice at the upcoming World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt,” the prime minister said. The premier said today, Eswatini took its next step in this journey. “This forum will help us define our Nation’s position on sustainable urban development, which will be communicated at global platforms such as the World Urban Forum. It is our opportunity to share Eswatini’s vision and priorities with the world and to ensure that we play our part in achieving sustainable development on a global scale,” the premier said.
By the end of the forum, which will take two days, the prime minister hopes that the following will be achieved:
1. Raising the Profile of Urbanisation: Urbanisation must be seen as a national priority. It is not just a local government issue; it is central to our national development agenda.
2. Facilitating Dialogue and Collaboration: The challenges we face cannot be addressed by one sector alone. This forum will foster the cross-sectoral collaboration needed to tackle complex urbanisation issues.
3. Identifying Innovative Solutions: Whether it be through new financing models, public-private partnerships, or communityled initiatives, we must find innovative ways to manage urban growth sustainably.
The prime minister reminded the attendants that this forum took place during Urban October, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of urban issues. “As we commemorate World Habitat Day and World Cities Day this month, let us remember that our youth are at the heart of building a better urban future,” he said.
“Eswatini’s young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. Their involvement in local action, particularly in addressing the climate crisis, is critical to the success of our urban agenda.”
