…Ministers Back King’s Call for Improved Housing at Global Forum
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE– Eswatini Government says it will place housing at the centre of national development following remarks by His Majesty King Mswati III at the 13th World Urban Forum currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The commitment was announced by Appolo Maphalala, who is part of His Majesty’s delegation attending the global summit on sustainable urban development and housing.
Addressing delegates at the forum, the King called for global development to focus on improving housing and building safe, resilient and inclusive communities.
Maphalala said following the King’s directive, government would now intensify efforts to ensure that improved housing becomes a national priority for Emaswati.
‘Housing Must Be At the Centre of Development’
Speaking through Eswatini Government social media platforms from Baku, Maphalala said citizens should expect major changes regarding housing and urban development.
“When we come back, we need to put more emphasis on prioritising housing at the centre of every development,” he said.
The minister stressed that quality housing plays a vital role in improving the lives of citizens, arguing that many important family and societal decisions are made within proper living structures.
According to Maphalala, housing is directly linked to human dignity, safety, stability and economic development.
Focus On UN Sustainable Development Goal 11
Maphalala further highlighted the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
He said achieving SDG 11 would help support the attainment of many other development goals.
SDG 11 focuses on:
- Access to safe and affordable housing
- Sustainable public transport
- Inclusive urban planning
- Environmental protection
- Disaster resilience
- Safer public spaces
- Protection of cultural and natural heritage
The United Nations has identified rapid urbanisation, growing informal settlements and limited access to public transport as some of the major global urban challenges.
Current estimates show that more than one billion people worldwide live in slum or slum-like conditions.
Tinkhundla Ministry Also Participating
The summit is also being attended by Sikhumbuzo Dlamini.
His ministry plays a key role in constituency development and spatial planning within communities.
Government said the participation of the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development is important to ensure that housing and urban development projects are implemented sustainably across constituencies.
Officials stressed that future development would require proper land allocation, planning and coordinated infrastructure development to ensure communities receive quality housing and improved services.
Global Leaders Discuss Urban Challenges in Baku
The 13th World Urban Forum has brought together world leaders, ministers, urban planners and development experts to discuss:
- Housing shortages
- Climate resilience
- Urbanisation
- Sustainable cities
- Infrastructure development
The forum is organised under the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and serves as one of the world’s leading global platforms on urban development and human settlements.
(Courtesy Pic)
