BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – Eswatini has been described as one of the best-performing countries in terms of response to climate change.
Frank Burkert of the Green Climate Fund, EY, Sustainable Solutions for Africa, shared the good news during the policy dialogue under the Pan-African GCF Readiness Program held at the Hilton Hotel this morning. Burkert commended the country for its projects and good governance.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Principal Secretary Khangeziwe Mabuza said the meeting today marked a significant milestone in their shared commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and advancing sustainable development in the agricultural and energy sectors.
“This project, launched in Eswatini in November 2022, was designed to strengthen the capacities of 23 African nations, including Eswatini, to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change. It aims to integrate climate resilience into agricultural frameworks and establish robust, low-carbon solutions that align with the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs),” the PS said while making her remarks.
However, she mentioned that the journey has not been without challenges.
“Uncontrollable delays have affected the implementation timeline, making today’s policy dialogue a particularly crucial step in ensuring the program achieves its intended objectives,” she added.
As one of the final activities in Phase 1 of the readiness program, the policy dialogue provided a unique opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and action. It brought together stakeholders from various sectors to review the program’s deliverables and examine how climate data and projections can be effectively integrated into agricultural policies.
“This engagement is vital, not only for addressing the gaps in our current frameworks but also for aligning Eswatini’s strategies with the realities of a changing climate. The agricultural sector is central to our economy and the livelihoods of many Emaswati. Yet, it remains highly vulnerable to climate-related risks such as erratic rainfall, droughts, and soil degradation.
These challenges underscore the importance of this dialogue, which will focus on strengthening our national climate resilience, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and driving policy reform to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth,” she explained.
She further commended the Green Climate Fund, EY, Sustainable Solutions for Africa, and all the partners involved in this program for their support.
The country received support from The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded Pan-African Readiness Program which strengthens the capacity of 23 African countries of the Africa Adaptation Initiatives (AAI) to respond to climate change challenges.
The program focuses on enhancing climate resilience and integrating climate adaptation strategies into agricultural frameworks, with a strong nexus between agriculture and energy for sustainable growth.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, has hosted national policy dialogues to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
The dialogues were informed by the latest climate data and projections developed through the program’s implementation, offering an opportunity for key stakeholders to assess progress and explore strategies for future action.
The primary goal of the policy dialogue in Eswatini was to provide a platform for stakeholders to review the readiness deliverables and discuss how climate data and projections can be incorporated into agricultural policy frameworks.
