Africa-Press – Eswatini. It’s not just hot air, the United Nations is cranking up the heat on climate change, and Eswatini is expected to feel it in all the right ways.
In a global address streamed live from New York on Tuesday afternoon, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made it clear: the time to act is now, and the planet can’t afford any more delays.
Titled “Moment of Opportunity,” the speech wasn’t just another climate talk, it was a fiery call for a just, inclusive, and fast-tracked transition to clean energy.
Guterres didn’t mince his words. He said that although some progress had been made since the Paris Agreement was signed ten years ago, “barriers remain too high, and the pace too slow.”
He urged countries, especially developing nations, to ditch fossil-fuel dependence and tap into renewables as both an environmental and economic solution.
“This is not just a climate imperative,” he said. “It’s smart economics.”
Here in Eswatini, UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira echoed that sentiment, stating that the address comes at a critical time for the country.
“Climate action is essential not only for the planet but also for Eswatini’s economic growth, energy security, and the wellbeing of its people,” said Wachira.
“This address reinforces the opportunity for Eswatini to lead the way in adopting sustainable energy solutions that align with our national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The speech landed just as Eswatini prepares its third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), its blueprint for climate action, supported by the UNDP. It’s a pivotal moment for the Kingdom, which has already been experiencing the effects of erratic weather patterns, droughts, and rising temperatures.
But Guterres wasn’t only about the warnings. He offered hope, laying out a roadmap for a cleaner, fairer energy future. He challenged outdated narratives that climate action is too expensive, instead flipping the script.
“Investing in renewables means investing in jobs, growth, energy security, and resilience,” said the UN Chief.
To localize the message, the UN in Eswatini will host a Public Engagement Breakfast Meeting at Hilton Hotel, Mbabane, on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
The gathering will bring together voices from government, youth, civil society, and business to explore how Eswatini can plug into the Secretary-General’s global climate call and chart its way forward ahead of COP30.
Wachira said the breakfast meeting will allow Emaswati to ask bold questions and set bold goals.
“It’s about turning words into action, and commitments into climate justice,” he added.
As Eswatini edges toward greater climate ambition, the message from New York is loud and clear, the Kingdom has a seat at the table, and now is the time to rise with purpose, not panic.
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