Madam,
I am writing to express profound gratitude to the United Nations (UN) in Eswatini for its unwavering commitment and invaluable partnership in safeguarding the lives, health and livelihoods of emaSwati. The recent launch of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030 marks yet another milestone in a long-standing history of solidarity, providing a clear roadmap to build a more resilient and equitable nation.
For years, the UN family has stood beside Eswatini during its most challenging chapters. This was epitomised during the global COVID-19 pandemic, when the UN, co-leading the COVAX Facility alongside international partners, delivered critical batches of life-saving vaccines to our shores.
Beginning with the initial arrival of Oxford-AstraZeneca doses, followed by substantial allocations of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, this intervention protected thousands of frontline workers, the elderly and vulnerable families. The technical and logistical deployment support ensured our health system could achieve remarkable early rollout coverage, serving as a testament to what structured multilateral aid can accomplish in times of acute crisis.
Beyond emergency health interventions, the UN’s continuous support has been heavily felt in grassroots social protection and food security. Through agencies like the World Food Programme, the UN has consistently provided critical food assistance, cash-based transfers and nutritional safety nets to thousands of children at neighbourhood care points, smallholder farmers and communities vulnerable to severe climate shocks.
The launch of the UNSDCF 2026–2030 signals a visionary transition from short-term emergency handouts to sustainable, systemic modernisation. It is heartening to see the UN and His Majesty’s Government actively rolling out the E91 million disaster protection strategy. By targeting 300 000 vulnerable citizens through innovative climate insurance, rapid catastrophe financing and enhanced early-warning frameworks, this initiative shields our people before environmental shocks spiral into full-scale humanitarian crises.
Furthermore, the framework’s targeted health interventions directly address the core socio-economic pillars of our society. The joint commitment to modernise the Central Medical Stores and transition 98 per cent of health facilities to an integrated Logistics Management Information System will directly combat persistent medicine shortages and expand HIV prevention services to 500 000 people. In education, strategic investments aimed at doubling early childhood education teachers, modernising the national curriculum and expanding life-skills training address the critical issues of school repetition and youthful employability.
Equally commendable are the governance and economic reforms embedded within this blueprint. Collaborative support to fully operationalise the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and enhance public financial management ensures that national resources are utilised with strict accountability. At the same time, the dedicated focus on transitioning 500 unemployed young people into meaningful employment and decentralising regional innovation hubs provides an important pathway for the youth outside the main economic corridors.
With roughly 58.9 per cent of our population living in poverty and global development assistance shrinking, the collective stewardship demonstrated by the United Nations is more critical than ever. As our communities strive to embrace the national call of ‘Nkwe’, we take great comfort in knowing that the UN remains a dedicated companion on our path towards sustainable development. Thank you for your tireless service, your financial investments and your enduring friendship to the people of Eswatini.
I am writing to express profound gratitude to the United Nations (UN) in Eswatini for its unwavering commitment and invaluable partnership in safeguarding the lives, health and livelihoods of emaSwati.
