by Ncaba Ntshakala
Eswatini is preparing to present its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in 2025, which has been hailed as another milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainable development.
Having previously submitted VNRs in 2019 and 2022, the government has expressed its intention for the upcoming report to reflect not only national progress but also achievements at the local government level.
This announcement was made by Thabsile Mlangeni, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, during the opening of the two-and-a-half-day Voluntary Local Review (VLR) Capacity Building Workshop for Municipalities.
Mlangeni emphasized the importance of local government involvement in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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“As the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, we are committed to supporting the implementation of the SDGs at the local level.
This workshop is a crucial step in our collective effort to ensure that the benefits of sustainable development reach all parts of the country,” she stated.
Mlangeni also highlighted that the 2025 VNR will stand out because it will integrate findings from the VLR process, which highlights the relevance of local authorities in the global 2030 Agenda
The VNR process, introduced as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015, serves as a mechanism for countries to review and present their progress toward achieving the 17 SDGs.
These reviews are presented at the annual HLPF, allowing countries to showcase achievements, share challenges, and promote accountability.
However, in addition to national reviews, there is growing encouragement for countries to conduct reviews at the local level through VLRs.
Mlangeni noted that VLRs provide municipalities and cities with a platform to assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, and enhance citizen participation in the development process.
“Local governments play a vital role in the SDG implementation process because their functions cut across all goals—from eradicating poverty and promoting good governance to ensuring access to quality education, clean water, and affordable energy,” Mlangeni explained.
She added that the VLR process enhances transparency and accountability by holding municipalities accountable for their efforts, facilitates peer learning among local authorities, and strengthens policy decisions with evidence-based insights.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), aims to equip Eswatini’s municipal officers with the necessary skills to conduct meaningful VLRs.
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Mlangeni expressed gratitude to UN DESA, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and the UNDP office for their support in organizing the event.
She acknowledged the value of learning from neighboring countries, especially South Africa, which recently completed its own VLR.
During her remarks, Mlangeni urged workshop participants to engage actively in discussions and use the opportunity to share experiences and best practices.
“VLRs are a powerful tool for localizing the SDGs. Through this workshop, we hope to lay a strong foundation for Eswatini’s first VLR, which will capture the progress made at the local level and provide meaningful input for future policies and decisions,” she said.
The principal secretary concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective effort in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs.
“We are counting on your participation to ensure that the VLR becomes a valuable document that not only reflects the achievements at the local level but also mobilizes support from all stakeholders for sustainable development,” Mlangeni remarked.
