Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini has joined the global community in commemorating World Cities Day 2025, held under the theme “People-Centered Smart Cities.” The national commemoration, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, took place and brought together mayors, council chairpersons, development partners, and urban stakeholders to discuss the future of Eswatini’s cities and towns.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala highlighted that the future of smart cities depends not only on technological advancement, but on placing people at the heart of innovation and development. “A truly smart city is not defined by its connectivity, but by its equity, inclusivity and resilience,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through affordable connectivity and digital literacy, strengthening participatory governance to empower residents as co-creators of their cities, and building resilient infrastructure to improve service delivery and climate resilience. He also emphasised the importance of ethical data governance and transparency in the use of emerging technologies.
“Technology must be the vehicle that uplifts the dignity and opportunity of every urban resident,” Maphalala said, adding that Eswatini’s urban transformation agenda seeks to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities where every citizen is at the centre of progress.
World Cities Day, first observed by the United Nations in 2014, is celebrated annually on 31 October to promote international cooperation in addressing the challenges of urbanisation and advancing sustainable urban development. The day serves as a platform for countries to share ideas on how to create cities that are inclusive, innovative, and environmentally sustainable.
The 2025 theme, “People-Centered Smart Cities,” calls on nations to ensure that technological progress benefits everyone, particularly vulnerable and marginalised communities. By commemorating this day, Eswatini joins global efforts to rethink how cities can harness innovation to improve the quality of life for all urban residents while safeguarding the environment and ensuring social equity.
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