BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Eswatini has joined the global stage in New York City, USA, as two Cabinet ministers take part in a high-level United Nations forum aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala and Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya are attending the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which officially opened today in the United States.
The delegation also includes representatives from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, which plays a central role in Eswatini’s SDG implementation strategy.
Forum Focus: Leaving No One Behind
This year’s forum is being held under the theme:
“Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind.”
The focus areas for in-depth review include:
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 14 – Life Below Water
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Eswatini’s Progress Under the Spotlight
During the forum, Eswatini will present its third Voluntary National Review (VNR), a country-led report on progress, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the SDGs since their adoption in 2015.
This year also marks a milestone, as Eswatini will present its first-ever Voluntary Local Review (VLR). The VLR highlights progress at the municipal and local government level, showcasing how decentralization and local governance structures are contributing toward national development goals.
Global Cooperation Key to 2030 Goals
Participation in the HLPF not only reflects Eswatini’s ongoing commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda but also provides a platform to build partnerships, share innovations, and learn from other countries navigating similar development pathways.
The forum brings together global leaders, ministers, civil society actors, and multilateral institutions to accelerate collective action in tackling poverty, inequality, climate change, and economic transformation.
As Eswatini shares its development journey, the spotlight now turns to how it continues aligning national policies with the global ambition to “leave no one behind.”
(Pics: Eswatini Government)
