LOBAMBA – The successful celebration of His Majesty King Mswati III’s 58th Birthday and 40th Anniversary on the Throne elevated Eswatini’s international profile, attracting global media attention, world leaders, diplomats and hundreds of international delegates while showcasing the Kingdom as a peaceful, stable and investment-friendly nation.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini said the historic 40/58 Double Celebration was one of Government’s greatest achievements during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, describing it as an event that placed Eswatini firmly on the world stage.
The PM made the remarks while presenting the Private and Cabinet Office First Quarter Performance Report covering the period from April to June 2026/27 in the House of Assembly on Thursday.
He said the first quarter began with one of the country’s most significant national events, bringing together thousands of Emaswati and distinguished international guests to celebrate both the King’s 58th birthday and his four decades of visionary leadership.
The PM congratulated His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and the nation for hosting what he described as highly successful celebrations that gave Emaswati an opportunity to reflect on the country’s remarkable journey under the King’s leadership.
He said His Majesty had guided Eswatini through 40 years of peace, stability, resilience and social development, while the celebrations also marked 58 years of the country’s Independence, making the occasion a powerful symbol of national unity, cultural pride and progress.
“The celebrations provided an important opportunity for the country to tell its story to the world while highlighting the peace, stability and development that continue to define the Kingdom of Eswatini,” the PM said.
He added that another landmark achievement during the quarter was the official opening of the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre on April 25, 2026, saying the world-class facility had immediately transformed Eswatini into a competitive destination for major international conferences and events.
According to the PM, the convention centre demonstrated its strategic importance almost immediately after opening when it hosted the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States-European Union (OACPS-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly from May 7 to 14, 2026.
The prestigious gathering attracted more than 500 parliamentarians and delegates from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific, providing another opportunity for Eswatini to showcase its hospitality, infrastructure and ability to host high-profile international events.
“Sikhuta Libayethe for this remarkable milestone,” the PM said while acknowledging the successful hosting of both events.
He noted that the King’s Double Celebration and the OACPS-EU Parliamentary Assembly generated extensive international media coverage, giving the Kingdom unprecedented exposure and allowing the world to witness Eswatini’s achievements, investment opportunities and political stability.
The PM further highlighted the State Visit by President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from May 2 to 5, 2026 as another major diplomatic success during the reporting period.
He said the visit, together with engagements involving other current and former Heads of State and Government, reaffirmed Eswatini’s strong diplomatic relations and longstanding strategic partnerships with friendly nations.
According to the PM, Government deliberately used these high-level international engagements to strengthen the country’s global communication strategy by promoting a positive image of Eswatini and sharing progress on national development priorities, governance reforms and economic transformation initiatives.
He said these diplomatic engagements continue to strengthen Eswatini’s reputation as a peaceful, reliable and trusted partner within the international community while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and stronger bilateral cooperation.
The PM said the success of the King’s Double Celebration, the opening of the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre and the hosting of major international conferences demonstrated that Eswatini is increasingly positioning itself as a preferred destination for global events, diplomacy and investment.
He said Government remains committed to building on this momentum by strengthening international partnerships and creating more opportunities that contribute to economic growth and sustainable national development.
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(Courtesy Pic)
