MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

ACHIEVEMENTS

CHALLENGES

FOCUS AREAS

COMPLETED DRAFTING THE COUNTRY’S FOREIGN POLICY

The crafting of the Foreign Policy of the Kingdom of Eswatini proved necessary as a means of defining and describing the country’s interests and contribution in the global competitive environment

Insufficient budget allocations for the Ministry and Missions abroad to effectively implement planned activities 

Fostering public understanding of  the country’s foreign policy and projecting a positive image of the kingdom

COMPLETED DRAFTING THE MINISTRY’S SERVICE CHARTER

The charter provides information to our clients and stakeholders of the quality of service the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation offers; it clarifies the relative rights, expectations and obligations of our clients and their service commitments. It will act as a tool towards enhancing performance across all departments and missions abroad, to foster professionalism and encourage excellence in the Ministry.

Lack of a consolidated strategy to package Eswatini for the promotion of tourism, trade and investments

Provide training on Commercial diplomacy for the Ministry’s personnel and those deployed in Missions to effectively Promote Tourism, Trade and Investment

COORDINATED AND FACILITATED THE SIGNING OF THE PRISONER TRANSFER AGREEMENT

On the 27^th of February 2019, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement, further strengthening judicial collaboration. Under the pact, convicted offenders can be repatriated to serve out their sentences. Enforcement of the remaining prison time will be overseen by their home country, with relevant authorities informing counterparts on the other side when an inmate has completed their term or received conditional release.

Fluctuations of major currencies against Lilangeni and late release of funds to our Missions abroad

To increase the number of Joint Bilateral Commissions of Cooperation with other countries where the Kingdom can positively gain and effectively widen our engagement with the rest of world

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

The Ministry through its collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency, two major projects on nutrition and energy planning have been approved with a view to address the overwhelming human health challenges afflicting a majority of the population, and in the field of energy planning and economics. It is anticipated that these projects will contribute immensely to the overall national development priorities of the country.

On the 6^th May, 2019 the Kingdom of Eswatini signed its first Country Programme Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency for 2019-2023. This is a framework reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between the Kingdom and the International Atomic Energy Agency to support Kingdom`s national development goals.

Lack of physical representation of the country in other regions and continents

Expansion of the Kingdom’s physical representation to regions and continents where the country is not effectively represented. e.g. West and North Africa, South America and East Europe

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BY THE COUNTRY

·       MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE COUNTRY AND REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE ON THE EXEMPTION OF PURCHASING MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE

On 19 March 2019, the country singed an MOU with Mozambique on the exemption of purchasing motor vehicle liability insurance. The MOU aims to exempt a State Party from paying motor vehicle liability insurance required in the visited country, for incoming vehicles from the other State Party who are in possession of a valid comprehensive motor vehicle insurance cover.

On the same date, the country further signed an agreement with Mozambique regarding the coordination of search and rescue services. The agreement seeks to coordinate Search and Rescue organization with those of the other Party and develop common search and rescue procedures to facilitate coordination of Search and Rescue operations

·       MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE COUNTRY AND THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

On the 2^nd of April 2019, the country signed an MOU with Singapore which seeks to promote economic development towards achieving Vision 2022 and to further strengthen the existing friendly relations with the Republic of Singapore by sharing development experiences

·       MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI REGARDING CO-OPERATION ON WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The Memorandum of Understanding is the broad framework under which the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), shall provide technical and financial resources to support one of the development priorities of Eswatini, which is to enhance women’s access to financial services through a well-functioning micro finance institution.  

·       DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE COUNTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA ON REGULAR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS

On 11 April 2019, the country signed and MOU with the Islamic of Mauritania which seeks to establish a mechanism for bilateral consultations through regular meetings between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini and its counterpart Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania at least once a year and alternately between the two countries to discuss issues related to bilateral, regional and international relations of common interest in order to identify new areas that serve the cooperation between the two countries

Exorbitant and unsustainable rentals in our Missions abroad

To purchase and/or construct Chancery buildings and staff accommodation for our Missions abroad. e.g. Ethiopia

ACP-EU AFRICA REGIONAL PROTOCOL

On the 3^rd of May 2019, the Kingdom of Eswatini hosted the ACP-EU Consultations on the Africa Regional Protocol in the context of the negotiations for a new Partnership Agreement between the EU and the ACP. The outcome of these consultations served as a beacon to guide our negotiators as we embark on real negotiations in the future

Lack of coordination and support from Government Agencies in drafting, compliance and implementation of cooperation agreements

Ensure that the International Conventions/Protocols are fully implemented and respected by the Kingdom and that Members of the Diplomatic Corps adherers to these protocols