By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Kingdom of Eswatini, represented by Makhosini Khoza, the Director of Water Affairs at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, is attending the 10th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
This global convention, formally known as the Helsinki Water Convention, was adopted in 1992 and came into force in 1996 and it focuses on strengthening international cooperation and ensuring the protection of transboundary water resources.
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The convention, with over 140 participating countries, emphasizes sustainable management of surface and groundwater that cross national borders.
It promotes collaborative efforts to prevent, control, and reduce pollution of shared water bodies.
Additionally, it encourages member states to form agreements on the equitable and reasonable use of these resources, strengthening international cooperation to protect and sustain water systems.
According to a statement by the Ministry, Eswatini’s involvement in the convention highlights its dedication to managing water resources shared with neighbouring countries, including South Africa and Mozambique.
“The nation’s participation aligns with its broader efforts toward sustainable water governance,” reads the statement.
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Coinciding with Eswatini’s attendance in Slovenia is hosting the National Stakeholder Conference on Groundwater, organised with support from the Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI).
This parallel event was for Eswatini to share the increasing focus on sustainable water management, particularly groundwater, as it seeks to address regional water challenges through cooperation and strategic planning.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Energy HRH Prince Lonkhokhela officially opened the conference at Mountain View Hotel.
