BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The United Nations (UN) has commended the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini for its leadership in advancing national development priorities through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021–2025.
According to a statement issued by UN Eswatini, the outgoing cooperation framework guided collective UN support towards strengthening institutions, expanding access to essential services, promoting inclusive economic opportunities, protecting the environment, and enhancing resilience to social, economic and climate-related shocks.
The UN noted that these achievements were realised during a period characterised by significant global uncertainty, shifting development financing landscapes, and mounting pressures on countries and communities.
“These achievements were delivered in a period marked by profound global uncertainty, shifting development financing landscapes, and increasing pressures on countries and communities,” the communiqué stated.
As the new UNSDCF 2026–2030 came into effect on 1 January 2026, the UN said the transition coincides with a critical phase of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as the world enters the final and most decisive years for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN emphasised that this moment presents an important opportunity to reflect on progress made so far, while also assessing the scale, speed and ambition required to accelerate development efforts in the years ahead.
On its social media platforms, UN Eswatini released a video highlighting how sustained partnerships between the Government of Eswatini, the United Nations system, development partners, the private sector, civil society and local communities translated shared commitments into tangible results for Emaswati.
The progress showcased in the video is said to provide a strong foundation for the implementation of the UNSDCF 2026–2030, as collective efforts now shift towards acceleration, scale and impact in support of Eswatini’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the Government and all stakeholders to support inclusive, sustainable and resilient development outcomes for the Kingdom.
