BY MBONGENI NDLELA
AZERBAIJAN – The Kingdom of Eswatini has delivered a strong message to the international community at the 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, declaring that adequate housing must be treated as a powerful driver of dignity, economic growth and social inclusion.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka is part of the delegation accompanying His Majesty King Mswati III to the global gathering, where world leaders, policymakers and development experts are meeting under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
Delivering Eswatini’s message during the forum, Tshawuka stressed that housing should no longer be viewed merely as shelter, but as a cornerstone for sustainable national development.
“Adequate housing is not merely a basic human need but a fundamental driver of dignity, social inclusion, economic growth and environmental sustainability,” he stated.
The powerful statement became one of the defining messages from Eswatini’s participation at the international forum, reflecting the country’s growing focus on inclusive development and sustainable urban transformation.
The delegation noted that the WUF13 theme strongly aligns with Eswatini’s national priorities and aspirations, particularly as urbanisation continues to accelerate across the country.
Government acknowledged that increasing rural-to-urban migration continues to place pressure on housing supply, infrastructure and service delivery systems, resulting in the expansion of informal settlements that often lack access to essential services.
Despite these challenges, Eswatini reaffirmed that housing and urban development remain among government’s key development priorities.
Through national policies and strategic frameworks, the country is promoting affordable and adequate housing for all income groups through the Eswatini Housing Board while strengthening spatial planning systems to ensure orderly, inclusive and sustainable settlements.
Government also highlighted efforts to facilitate access to serviced land and secure land tenure through the Crown Lands Disposal Programme, while continuing to upgrade informal settlements in partnership with urban local authorities and international development partners.
The Kingdom further emphasized the integration of climate resilience and environmental sustainability into housing and urban development policies as part of building stronger and safer communities for future generations.
Eswatini also used the global platform to call for stronger international cooperation, knowledge sharing and increased investment in innovative housing solutions, including the use of local and sustainable building materials.
The delegation concluded by reaffirming Eswatini’s readiness to work with fellow nations and development partners to accelerate progress towards safe, resilient and adequate housing for all.
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