BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
EZULWINI– The Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, has launched a three-day High-Level Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiation Dialogue at the Royal Villas Hotel to equip national experts for effective participation in COP30 in Belem, Brazil. The event, running from 13 to 15 October 2025, is organized in partnership with the United Nations.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane opened the training by urging negotiators to approach climate diplomacy with a “whole-of-government mindset.” She told participants that ministries such as agriculture, energy, finance, and natural resources must work together to present a unified national voice.
“Climate change is not a distant abstraction. It is a daily reality that touches every sector,” she said. “From prolonged droughts to flash floods and biodiversity loss, the impacts are systemic and urgent. Yet within this challenge lies an extraordinary opportunity to lead with clarity and negotiate with conviction.”
The Minister emphasized that the training goes beyond technical knowledge. “This is not just about understanding climate frameworks,” she said. “It is about strategic positioning, building credibility, and attracting the climate finance needed to advance Eswatini’s priorities.”
Mkhonta-Simelane reminded participants that they are ambassadors for Eswatini. “Our guiding strategies must be coherent, our messaging unified, and our actions measurable,” she said. “The nation will be rallying behind you for better outcomes in the negotiations.”
The dialogue covers key areas under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including biodiversity, pollution, chemicals, and waste management. It also strengthens negotiators’ ability to interpret global frameworks, align them with national goals, and advocate effectively.
“Let this training mark the beginning of a new chapter,” the Minister concluded, “where Eswatini speaks with confidence, negotiates with integrity, and leads with vision, building a stronger, more resilient future for all.”
