King emerging as an environmental advocate for Eswatini
By Nomonde Mafu
His Majesty King Mswati III is increasingly positioning himself as an environmental champion for Eswatini, using global platforms to highlight the urgency of climate action and sustainable water management.
From the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to the African Union’s African Water Investment Programme (AU–AIP) Summit in Cape Town, the King has raised Eswatini’s voice on issues of climate resilience, disaster preparedness and water security.
These two advocacy speeches, delivered within months of each other, demonstrate a deliberate shift, placing Eswatini’s environmental priorities at the centre of both national development and international cooperation.
By doing so, the King has elevated the country’s role in climate discussions, while also advocating for investment in high-impact water projects that can secure livelihoods and strengthen resilience against worsening climate shocks.
At the UNGA, King Mswati III addressed the world leaders on the escalating threat of climate change. He noted that climate disasters are no longer remote events but a growing reality undermining peace and development.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini recognises that the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, emergencies and protracted crises highlight the urgent need for integrated responses that bridge humanitarian relief, long-term development and peacebuilding,” said the King.
The King stressed the importance of resilience, urging countries to act together in addressing shared threats.
“The international community must remain united in addressing shared global challenges, from hunger and malnutrition to climate change, under the guiding spirit of ‘Better Together’,” he declared, reinforcing that sustainable progress can only be achieved with solidarity.
In Cape Town earlier this year, the Eswatini Head of State addressed the AU–AIP Summit. Here, his focus narrowed to Eswatini’s specific needs: financing multibillion-rand water projects to secure the nation’s future.
He outlined two immediate projects- the Nondvo Multipurpose Dam and the raising of the Hawane Dam, costing US$115 million (R2.1 billion).
He also stressed that an additional US$2 billion (R38 billion) is required for the National Potable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Master Plan.
“With support from the African Union, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and Green Climate Fund, we are developing the Eswatini Water Investment Programme, set for completion by late 2025.
This will guide resource mobilisation and implementation of high-impact water projects,” the King explained.
He added that these efforts are crucial because water “fuels agriculture, which accounts for over 90 per cent of water abstractions, drives industry, safeguards public health and strengthens climate resilience.”
The King cautioned, however, that Eswatini faces serious obstacles, including ageing infrastructure, rising demand and climate pressures. Still, he pointed to positive outcomes from collaboration with South Africa and Mozambique on shared river basins.
He also reminded fellow leaders that “Africa’s water is its future. By investing in water security, the continent will advance health, dignity and prosperity for a resilient Africa.”
Eswatini’s environmental challenges are profound. Prolonged droughts have devastated rural livelihoods, while flash floods have displaced families and undermined fragile infrastructure.
Farmers, who depend heavily on rain-fed crops, are often the first to feel the brunt of changing weather patterns, while children and women remain disproportionately affected by displacement and hunger.
Agriculture, consuming over 90 per cent of the country’s water, is under direct threat from reduced rainfall and unpredictable seasons.
Climate change is therefore not a distant concern for Eswatini but a present-day reality shaping food security, economic stability and public health. Without urgent investment in resilience, the risk of social and economic disruption will only deepen.
In both New York and Cape Town, the King tied Eswatini’s climate agenda to broader continental and global frameworks. He emphasised that the AU–AIP aligns with the country’s development plan, climate priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation. It also contributes to Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
“The AU-AIP aligns with our national development plan, climate adaptation priorities and commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
It also advances Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want,” said the King.
By leveraging both the UNGA and AU–AIP Summit, King Mswati III has not only amplified Eswatini’s climate concerns but also positioned himself as a leading voice for water security and resilience in Southern Africa.
His speeches reflect an evolving leadership stance: one that connects domestic priorities with continental aspirations and global commitments.
The King’s growing environmental advocacy marks a turning point for Eswatini, signalling that the country intends to be more than a participant in climate discourse; it seeks to be a driver of solutions, calling for investment, cooperation and urgency.
