BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – The United Nations should lead by example in advancing gender equality, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, said during an Eswatini–European Union engagement held on May 8, 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane.
She used the platform to underscore the importance of inclusive global leadership and encouraged consideration of a female candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General.
Shakantu said the global community has made notable progress in promoting gender equality, but observed that leadership at the highest international level continues to reflect an imbalance that deserves continued reflection as the United Nations marks 80 years of existence.
She noted that all nine individuals who have served as UN Secretary-General have been men, adding that future leadership transitions present an opportunity to further strengthen inclusivity and representation within the global system.
According to the minister, greater gender balance in top leadership roles would not only reflect evolving global realities but also reinforce the United Nations’ commitment to equality, fairness, and inclusive governance.
“We believe there will be change, and it will be great. It is time for greater gender balance in leadership. As the United Nations marks 80 years with nine Secretaries-General, all of them men, I am personally encouraging consideration of a female Secretary-General. The UN must continue to set an example in advancing equality and inclusion,” she said.
Shakantu emphasized that her remarks were made in the spirit of constructive engagement on global governance and the continued strengthening of inclusive leadership in international institutions.
The engagement formed part of broader discussions between the Government of Eswatini and the European Union, focusing on cooperation in governance, development, and multilateral relations, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to continued partnership.
The minister’s remarks add to growing international discourse on gender representation in global leadership, highlighting an ongoing call for more inclusive and representative decision-making structures within key multilateral institutions such as the United Nations.
#EPN #GenderEquality #UNLeadership #PholileShakantu #EswatiniEU #WomenInLeadership #GlobalGovernance #UN80Years #Diplomacy #Mbabane #InclusiveLeadership
