By Government Correspondent
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, joined world leaders for the opening session of the World Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Summit was officially opened by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, who called upon the Summit to “tear down the walls to climate finance” and to “advance global goals to triple renewables capacity, double energy efficiency, and halt deforestation by 2030,” among other climate action calls.
“This year’s Summit once again underscores the critical and urgent need to address the escalating impacts of climate change, which continue to affect communities worldwide, including here in Eswatini,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that the UN Secretary General’s message resonated with the Kingdom of Eswatini as a developing economy suffering the brunt of climate change, despite contributing very little in terms of carbon emissions.
“For Eswatini, and for other nations disproportionately affected by this crisis, equitable access to climate finance is essential. We stand firmly with those advocating for financial mechanisms that will enable all countries to strengthen their resilience and pursue sustainable development,” the Prime Minister added.
Joining the Prime Minister during the opening ceremony was Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu.
Also forming part of the delegation is Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, former Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, who is in Baku as part of his ongoing campaign to become an African Union Commissioner of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development and Senator Chief Ngangabani, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for the Prime Minister’s Office, amongst other officials.
PM meets Zim President, Tanzania VP, Azerbaijan PM and EU Council President
On the margins of the opening session of the World Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini held several bilateral meetings.
Amongst those he met were the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Vice President of the Republic of Tanzania Phillip Mpango, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov and the President of the European Union Council, Charles Michel.
During his meeting with PM Asadov, the two Prime Ministers discussed areas of potential mutual collaboration between the Kingdom of Eswatini and Azerbaijan, including the on the urgent need to mitigate climate change impact collaboratively. Prime Minister Dlamini congratulated Prime Minister Asadov for the beautiful country and its world-class infrastructure as well as for successfully hosting the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29.
Again, during his meeting with the President of the EU Council, they discussed matters of mutual benefit, in particular what needs to be done by both parties to strengthen the already existing relations. The Prime Minister further expressed, on behalf of His Majesty the King and the Nation, Eswatini’s willingness to explore innovative models of partnership with the EU.
Eswatini and the EU have enjoyed a long and successful bilateral relationship that covers support in areas such as sustainable agriculture, food security and investments into renewable energy, among others.
The Prime Minister is expected to deliver a country statement on Wednesday, 13 November 2024.
