Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has taken another positive step towards strengthening international cooperation and advancing its development agenda following a high-level engagement between the Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, today received a courtesy call from Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director of the Economic Development, Trade and Investment Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat, who is in the Kingdom on a working visit aimed at deepening collaboration opportunities.
The meeting underscored Eswatini’s commitment to building strong partnerships with international institutions that support inclusive growth, climate resilience and sustainable development. Minister Shakantu welcomed Dr Kattumuri’s visit, noting that such engagements are critical in aligning national priorities with global development frameworks.
Dr Kattumuri brings more than three decades of global experience spanning diplomacy, academia, research and policy development. Her leadership at the Commonwealth Secretariat has been instrumental in promoting economic resilience and sustainable development among member states, particularly small and vulnerable economies.
Discussions between the two leaders focused on key areas central to Eswatini’s development trajectory, including economic development, climate finance and entrepreneurship. These themes align closely with the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its economy, empower local entrepreneurs and respond effectively to climate-related challenges.
A highlight of the engagement was the recognition of Dr Kattumuri’s role as the architect of the Commonwealth Universal Vulnerability Index (UVI). The UVI is an important tool that helps countries assess economic vulnerabilities and strengthen their case for accessing development support and climate finance. For countries like Eswatini, such instruments are vital in ensuring that global financing mechanisms respond fairly to national realities.
Dr Kattumuri has also led impactful initiatives such as the Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP), which integrates economic development with urban resilience strategies. Her work reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that development approaches are inclusive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities.
Minister Shakantu expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the engagement, highlighting the importance of working closely with international partners to unlock opportunities for sustainable growth. She emphasised that collaboration with institutions such as the Commonwealth Secretariat plays a key role in supporting Eswatini’s long-term development goals.
As Dr Kattumuri’s working visit continues, the dialogue between her and the Government of Eswatini is expected to lay the foundation for meaningful partnerships. These engagements are anticipated to support the Kingdom in addressing economic and environmental challenges, while opening pathways for innovation, investment and resilience-building.
The visit reflects Eswatini’s growing engagement on the global stage and its determination to leverage international cooperation to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for its people.
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