BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE (INTERN)
LOBAMBA– The Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) has intensified efforts to place young people at the center of environmental governance through a Youth Engagement Workshop aimed at strengthening youth participation in the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP 3.0) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).
Held at King Sobhuza Memorial Park under the theme “Strengthening Youth Engagement in the Implementation of the NBSAP 3.0 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0)”, the workshop brought together stakeholders and young leaders to discuss climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable environmental governance.
Addressing participants during the opening session, ENTC Chief Executive Officer, Thulani Methula, said the Commission remains committed to creating platforms that empower youth to actively shape the future of biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in Eswatini.
Methula emphasized that the Commission’s mandate goes beyond safeguarding protected areas, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, adding that communities, especially young people, must be equipped to take ownership of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
He noted that environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation could not be resolved by government alone, stressing the need for partnerships, innovation, and active youth participation.
“The workshop serves as a bridge between national frameworks such as NBSAP 3.0 and NDC 3.0 and the lived realities of young people across the country,” he said.
Methula further reaffirmed ENTC’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives through mentorship, technical support, and collaborative opportunities, adding that youth participation is essential for ensuring sustainability and long-term impact in environmental management.
He said the engagement marks the beginning of a sustained partnership, with outcomes expected to contribute directly to the ongoing review of NBSAP 3.0 and the strengthening of NDC 3.0 implementation. Participants were encouraged to actively contribute ideas and commit to meaningful action.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Acting Principal Secretary Dudu Nhlengetfwa Masina commended ENTC and the Ministry’s Climate Change Unit for advancing youth inclusion in environmental governance.
Nhlengetfwa Masina said Eswatini continues to face escalating environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, which are increasingly affecting livelihoods, food security, and water resources.
She highlighted that although young people make up a significant portion of the country’s population and are the future custodians of the nation’s natural heritage, their participation in environmental governance has remained limited due to a persistent participation gap.
According to the Acting PS, the ongoing revision of NBSAP 3.0 presents a strategic opportunity to reposition youth as active contributors and leaders in biodiversity conservation efforts. She further noted that the NDC 3.0 framework offers an important platform for integrating ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management into climate resilience strategies.
She added that the workshop seeks to break down traditional silos and empower young people to lead integrated solutions addressing both biodiversity and climate priorities.
In closing, Nhlengetfwa-Masina officially declared the workshop open and reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in environmental governance.
She noted that empowering young people aligns with Eswatini’s commitments under the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement.
Source: Information sourced from the ENTC Facebook page.
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(Courtesy Pic)
