Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini has reached a major milestone in its agricultural and food security journey. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has officially signed a Host Country Agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), paving the way for the establishment of a fully-fledged FAO representation in Eswatini.
The signing ceremony took place at the FAO Headquarters in Rome and was witnessed by Senator Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Minister of Agriculture, MP Mandla Tshawuke; and other senior government officials.
Fulfilling a Royal Commitment
This landmark agreement fulfills a commitment made by His Majesty King Mswati III during his 2024 visit to Rome for the World Food Forum, where he emphasized the urgent need for global collaboration to combat food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among women and the youth.
During that visit, His Majesty requested an upgrade of the existing FAO country office from an Assistant Representative to a full Representative level to speed up decision-making and implementation of key agricultural projects. The Director General of FAO accepted this request and promised to fast-track the signing of the Host Country Agreement in 2025.
A Strategic Leap for Agricultural Transformation
For many years, major project decisions in Eswatini were referred to the FAO sub-regional office in Zimbabwe, which often caused delays. The new agreement changes this dynamic by granting FAO full operational capacity within the Kingdom. The new country office is expected to be operational by January 1, 2026, ensuring faster implementation of agricultural and food security initiatives.
With FAO experts now set to be permanently based in Eswatini, the partnership will drive national and regional efforts to address hunger, malnutrition, climate resilience, and agricultural productivity. The new FAO representation will support technical cooperation, capacity building, and rapid responses to emerging challenges such as droughts, pests, and market disruptions.
PM’s Call to Action
Delivering his signing remarks on behalf of His Majesty, PM described the agreement as a “pivotal milestone in Eswatini’s journey toward food security and sovereignty.” He underscored the government’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders, public and private, to harness FAO’s expertise to transform the agricultural sector.
“With the FAO’s technical expertise and partnership, we will fortify food systems, bolster the resilience of smallholder communities, and forge sustainable opportunities for rural residents,” said the PM.
He further emphasized that food security goes beyond availability; it includes ensuring that all citizens have access to safe and nutritious food, while empowering farmers and fostering community resilience.
The Host Country Agreement aligns closely with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and supports Eswatini’s broader efforts toward sustainable development. By hosting an FAO office, the Kingdom positions itself as a regional leader in advancing innovative agri-food systems and contributing to global food security.
The agreement provides the legal and operational framework for FAO’s presence, including necessary privileges and immunities for the organization and its staff. This will facilitate closer collaboration between the Government of Eswatini, FAO’s country and regional teams, and other development partners.
A New Era of Agricultural Partnership
This historic signing marks the beginning of a new era in Eswatini’s agricultural development. The Government and FAO will now work on a joint work plan to align technical assistance with national priorities, driving transformative change in rural development, climate resilience, and food systems.
As Eswatini and FAO embark on this shared journey, the Kingdom stands ready to enhance its contribution to global food security and to ensure that every Liswati has access to nutritious, sustainable food for generations to come.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
