BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Director and Regional Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Dr Rose Mwebaza, has applauded Eswatini on the election of former Minister Moses Vilakati as one of the African Union (AU) Commissioners.
Dr Mwebaza conveyed her congratulations on 3 March 2025 during a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at the Private and Cabinet Offices in Mbabane. According to an official statement released by the Prime Minister, Dr Mwebaza extended her commendation to the Kingdom of Eswatini for Vilakati’s election as Chairperson of the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE).
In addition to this, she congratulated the country for being among the few African nations fully paid up in their contributions to the United Nations. Dr Mwebaza also acknowledged Eswatini’s exemplary efforts under the Montreal Protocol, highlighting these as milestones in global environmental governance.
The agenda for the meeting focused on UNEP’s support for Eswatini and how the organisation can align its interventions with the Kingdom’s national priorities as outlined in its Programme of Action. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the country’s ambition for inclusive and exponential growth, particularly by driving industrialisation through the adoption of green technologies and increasing Eswatini’s power generation capacity to meet its baseload energy needs.
The Prime Minister further underscored Eswatini’s commitment to achieving sustainable, impactful, and visible outcomes. He urged UNEP to design and implement a mega innovative and transformational environmental programme that would deliver sustainable results with a lasting impact.
Additionally, the Government requested UNEP’s support in capacity-building initiatives, which would enhance Eswatini’s ability to effectively access Climate Finance. Dr Mwebaza expressed admiration for Eswatini’s environmental stewardship, particularly its pioneering decision to ban single-use plastics, describing the move as “inspiring, especially within the SADC region.”
She commended the Kingdom for its leadership in advancing sustainable environmental practices and emphasised the importance of this significant step in promoting environmental resilience across the region. She reiterated her appreciation for Eswatini’s dedication to environmental sustainability and expressed her intention to collaborate further with Government officials and key stakeholders.
Dr Mwebaza stated that UNEP, under the leadership of its Executive Director, is committed to providing strategic capacity-building support to ensure the long-term success of Eswatini’s environmental initiatives. “We are deeply grateful for UNEP’s unwavering support and look forward to fostering even stronger collaborations,” the Prime Minister remarked. “Together, we will address the pressing environmental challenges of our time and their far-reaching impacts.”
(Pics: Eswatini Govt)
