On the sidelines of the World Climate Action Summit’s opening session, the Prime Minister Russell Dlamini engaged in high-level bilateral meetings set at strengthening Eswatini’s global partnerships.
The meetings, held in Baku on the first day of COP29, included discussions with Zimbabwe’s President and SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tanzania’s Vice President Phillip Mpango, Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and the President of the European Union Council, Charles Michel.
The summit, which is hosted in Baku, provided a platform for world leaders to connect on critical climate issues and explore avenues for deeper international cooperation.
During his meeting with Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister, Ali Asadov, Prime Minister Dlamini congratulated his host on Azerbaijan’s successful COP29 organization and its impressive infrastructure.
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The two leaders discussed potential areas of collaboration, particularly focused on climate action. Both leaders emphasized the importance of cooperative strategies to tackle climate impacts, recognizing that cross-border challenges require unified global action.
Again, the Prime Minister also engaged in constructive dialogue with EU Council President Charles Michel, centering on reinforcing the long-standing relationship between Eswatini and the European Union.
Eswatini has benefited from EU support across various sectors, including sustainable agriculture, food security, and renewable energy investments.
Expressing appreciation for the EU’s continued support, the Premier highlighted Eswatini’s readiness to explore innovative partnership models that further these mutual goals.
He conveyed, on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III and the people of Eswatini, the nation’s commitment to expanding collaboration with the EU.
“The discussions with President Michel were productive,” stated Dlamini, “and we are optimistic about the potential for joint initiatives that could elevate sustainable development efforts within Eswatini.
We value our longstanding partnership with the EU and look forward to building on this foundation.”
Moreover, the Prime Minister’s agenda also included discussions with SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as Tanzania’s Vice President Phillip Mpango.
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Both meetings provided an opportunity to align Eswatini’s priorities with the comprehensive goals of the Southern African Development Community, particularly in areas related to climate resilience and sustainable development.
With both Zimbabwe and Tanzania facing similar climate-related challenges, the leaders shared strategies to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water resources, and public health.
Prime Minister Russell is expected to address the summit with a formal country statement today, where he will highlight Eswatini’s climate action priorities and call for increased global support for vulnerable nations.
