By Siphesihle Dlamini
Taking a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability and economic growth, the Kingdom of Eswatini has welcomed the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This partnership aims to align UNEP’s initiatives with the national priorities outlined in Eswatini’s Programme of Action, a strategic framework designed to propel the nation towards inclusive and exponential growth.
On March 3, 2025, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini hosted Dr. Rose Mwebaza, the Director and Regional Representative of UNEP’s Africa Office, during her official visit to the country.
The meeting, held at the Private and Cabinet Office, brought together a delegation of UN officials, including UN Resident Representative Mr. George Wachira, and senior government officials led by the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane.
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini articulated the Kingdom’s aspirations for industrialization, emphasizing the importance of integrating ‘green’ technologies to foster sustainable development.
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He highlighted the need to enhance the country’s baseload power generation, a critical step in ensuring energy security and supporting economic growth.
During the discussions, the Prime Minister urged UNEP to devise a comprehensive and transformative environmental program that would yield visible and sustainable outcomes.
He also emphasized the necessity for capacity building in accessing Climate Finance, a critical resource for implementing green initiatives.
Dr Mwebaza responded positively, acknowledging the Kingdom’s proactive stance on environmental issues and expressing UNEP’s readiness to support Eswatini in these endeavours.
Dr Mwebaza extended her congratulations to Eswatini for the recent election of former Cabinet Minister Moses Vilakati as Chairperson of the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE).
This achievement underscores Eswatini’s growing influence on regional environmental governance.
Furthermore, Dr Mwebaza praised Eswatini for its status as one of the few African nations that are fully paid up to the United Nations and commended its efforts under the Montreal Protocol to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer.
She particularly lauded the country’s leadership in banning single-use plastics, describing Eswatini’s commitment to combating plastic pollution as “inspiring, especially within the SADC region.
” Her remarks highlight the importance of regional collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
The UNEP Director expressed her intent to engage with government officials and partners to explore avenues for capacity building, ensuring the long-term success of Eswatini’s environmental initiatives.
This collaborative approach is crucial for fostering a resilient and sustainable future for the Kingdom.
Dr. Rose Mwebaza brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director and Regional Representative of UNEP’s Africa Office.
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Her career spans various sectors, including academia, international development, and banking.
Before her current position, Dr. Mwebaza served as the Director and Advisory Board Secretary of the United Nations Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), the implementation arm of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technology Mechanism.
Her academic credentials are impressive; she holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Natural Resource Governance from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, as well as a master’s degree in international Comparative Law from the University of Florida, USA.
Dr. Mwebaza has also held significant roles at Makerere University, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Development Bank, where she focused on climate change and natural resource governance.
Dr. Mwebaza’s leadership and expertise position her as a key figure in advancing UNEP’s mission in Africa, particularly in supporting countries like Eswatini in their pursuit of sustainable development.
