MBABANE - Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, has called for greater gender balance within the United Nations system, declaring that the time has come for a woman to serve as secretary general for the first time in the organisation’s 80-year history.
Speaking during a meeting with ambassadors and representatives from EU member States in the Kingdom of Eswatini, the minister said the continued absence of women in the UN’s top leadership position highlights a persistent imbalance within global governance institutions.
“I am personally concerned about the gender imbalance within the United Nations system, and I believe that at this time, it will be great, and I believe it’s time for a woman secretary general,” she said.
“As the UN marks 80 years of existence, in its eight decades, there have been nine secretary generals, and all of them have been men. So from the countries that will be submitting candidates, we look forward to more women being submitted, and I am personally calling for a woman.” Shakantu revealed that the issue had also featured prominently during a recent meeting attended by women Foreign ministers, hosted by Canada’s Foreign Affairs minister together with her counterpart from Jamaica.
According to the minister, the gathering resolved to advocate for increased female representation in global leadership structures, particularly within the UN.
Her remarks came during a broader address focusing on multilateralism, geopolitical tensions, the longstanding partnership between Eswatini and the EU, and the role of African nations in global governance reforms.
The minister welcomed ambassadors from EU member States to Eswatini, noting that their visit coincided with celebrations marking 40 years of the reign of His Majesty King Mswati III.
She praised the Monarch for championing cooperation between the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Shakantu said King Mswati III has played a significant advocacy role after being requested by the OACPS to serve as champion for resource mobilisation.
According to the minister, the King consistently promotes the importance of multilateralism and strengthened partnerships between Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the EU.
“The King expressed that, out of all the partners, he believes that the EU is the most trusted partner because of the work that the EU has done in all the member States,” she said.
The minister also highlighted Eswatini’s hosting of the EU-OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which began with regional meetings and is expected to formally commence on May 12, 2026.
She said the event demonstrates the strength of the relationship between Eswatini and the European Union (EU).
Shakantu described the EU as a reliable and constructive development partner that has supported Eswatini across sectors including governance, trade, health, education, agriculture, energy and youth empowerment over the course of a 50-year relationship.
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… EU marks 50 years of partnership with Eswatini, reaffirms commitment
MBABANE – The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Eswatini, highlighting five decades of cooperation, development support and institutional partnership.
This happened during the opening of this year’s annual EU–Government partnership dialogue which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador Karsten Mecklenburg described the occasion as particularly significant.
“It is a pleasure in particular, in this specific context this year,” Mecklenburg said. “We are in the 50th year of our partnership.”
The ambassador said the anniversary coincides with heightened international attention on Eswatini following the country’s hosting of the first Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly under the Samoa Agreement.
The gathering brings together representatives of the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The parliamentary assembly is taking place at Eswatini’s newly-opened Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre and, according to Mecklenburg, it reflects the evolving institutional and contractual relationship between Eswatini and the EU.
In his remarks, Mecklenburg traced the roots of the relationship to the signing of the Cotonou Agreement in Togo in 1975, which entered into force in 1976 and laid the foundation for bilateral cooperation between the then-European Communities and Eswatini.
“The institutional and contractual relationship between the European Union and Eswatini does actually refer to the history of the relations between what was the ACP organisation and what is now the OACPS and the European Union,” he explained.
He added that the European Commission established its first office in Mbabane almost exactly 50 years ago.
“We also had the basis for our bilateral relationship. We, as the European Union, opened our first office here in Mbabane, almost exactly 50 years ago,” the ambassador said.
He used the occasion to reflect on what he described as a ‘very successful relationship’ between the two partners over the past five decades.
“I believe it has been a very successful relationship so far,” he stated.
“This is something I want to highlight as the background for our exercise today, to discuss where we stand in our relations, what the highlights are and what the priorities of our cooperation should be.”
He said the EU has left what he termed a very positive footprint in Eswatini through cooperation with Government ministries, businesses, civil society organisations and communities.
He thanked previous EU ambassadors, government officials and local stakeholders for helping to strengthen the relationship.
“I am very grateful to my predecessors in this office as ambassador of the European Union to Eswatini. I’m also very grateful to the government and to the various stakeholders in the country — business, civil society and others — for helping us reach where we are today,” he added.
Among the sectors highlighted was agriculture, particularly the sugar industry, where the EU invested heavily over the past 15 years.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu being presented with the European Union commemorative book by Ambassador to Eswatini Karsten Mecklenburg at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday. (Pic: Ntombi Mhlongo)