EZULWINI – Over 500 delegates from different countries will be part of the first conference to be held at the newly-opened Ezulwini Palazzo which was commissioned by His Majesty King Mswati III a few days ago.
The delegates, who are Members of Parliament (MPs) from the European Union and those from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries, will participate in the Organisation of African , Carribean and Pacific States (OACPS) African Regional Parliamentary Group of Meetings, alongside the Joint Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) which starts today and will run until May 14, 2026.
The event brings together legislators from the 79 member States of the OACPs and the 27 member States of the European Union, creating an inter-regional platform that spans 106 countries.
Yesterday, the venue was toured by the OACPS Secretary General, Moussa Saleh Batraki who was accompanied by Member of Parliament Prince Lindani, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini, Speaker Jabulani Mabuza and Clerk to Parliament Bennedict Xaba.
Before the arrival of the secretary general, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu engaged with the media, where she shared details about the significance of the event. Minister Shakantu said this will be the first big conference at the newly-opened ICC. She explained that all countries from the EU and the OACPS will take part in the conference. “Basically, it is Members of Parliament from the different countries who meet and this is referred to as the Joint Parliamentary Assembly,” she said.
Elaborating, the minister said government is excited about the event as it is being hosted immediately after the King commissioned the Ezulwini Palazzo ICC.
“This is proof that our beautiful structure is indeed an international convention centre.
“The fact that we will be hosting representatives from 27 EU countries is big. We are happy as government to have such an opportunity,” the minister said.
She mentioned that the conference is a big opportunity to showcase the ICC to the whole world and operate in the exact way it is designed for-which is conferencing big meetings.
Minister Shakantu said today’s activities will start with the assembly for the African countries and the EU will join them from May 12 to 14.
The OACPS was born from a shared vision — that of the countries of the Global South uniting to defend their common interests, strengthen their autonomy and build a model of cooperation founded on equity, solidarity and mutual respect.
In the heart of the 1970s, amid profound economic and geopolitical transformations, the nations of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific sought to create a common space for dialogue – a platform where their voices could converge around the major challenges of development.
This vision took shape through two founding milestones, one of them being the Lomé Convention, signed on February 28, 1975 in Togo, which established an unprecedented partnership framework between 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the European Economic Community.
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Big opportunity for hospitality industry, private sector
EZULWINI – Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu has encouraged the hospitality industry to grab the opportunity of hosting international delegates with both hands.
The minister was addressing the media in preparation for the OACPS-EU Parliamentarians Conference which is set to begin today at the newly-opened Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre (ICC).
The minister said the delegates will spend the next few days in the country and will therefore make use of the hospitality facilities.
This, she said, will be a big boost for the economy.
Also, she said the conference will also boost other sectors and made an example of the aviation and transport sector, saying these will be used by the delegates.
She said already, Eswatini’s own airline is engaging with its partners where the delegates are coming from to ensure that there is smooth collaboration and connection. Also, the minister shared that government has set up what is known as a diplomatic lounge at the KMIII International Airport at Sikhuphe. The lounge, the minister shared, will allow the diplomats to enjoy unique access.
She said previously, there was no such structure yet now that there is the ICC that will host international conferences, it is a must.
“There is a section that we have renovated at the airport and we are hoping to invite the media to come and have a look at it. Even now as the delegates arrive, the media will see that there are changes that have happened at the airport. It is the first phase of the diplomatic lounge while the other is being worked on,” she said.
She said with the opening of the ICC, emaSwati need to understand that the country will be receiving a lot of guests and delegates.
“What this means is that we must do what we are best known for, which is showing the best hospitality and respect. Also, we would like to encourage owners of restaurants and hotels to now start renovating their structures so that when the delegates come, they find them looking beautiful just like the ICC,” she said.
Elaborating, the minister said the private sector is set to benefit as already, a lot of money has been spent in putting together the event.
The event brings together legislators from the 79 member States of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the 27 member States of the European Union, creating an inter-regional platform that spans 106 countries.
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OACPS Secretary General, Moussa Saleh Batraki (2nd L)with Member of Parliament Prince Lindani, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini and Speaker Jabulani Mabuza after touring the Ezulwini Palazzo yesterday in preparation for the OACPS Parliamentary Conference which starts today. (Pics: Ntombi Mhlongo)