Africa-Press – Eswatini. United Nations Resident Coordinator in Eswatini, George Wachira, has urged the country to prioritise a just and inclusive transition to clean energy, especially for the most vulnerable, as part of its response to the global climate crisis.
Hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, the event was organised under the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, with UNDP as a key partner. Stakeholders from government, business, youth organisations, and civil society gathered to reflect on UN Secretary General António Guterres’ speech on climate action.
Wachira described the Secretary General’s address as a “powerful and urgent call for a just transition away from fossil fuels toward a clean, renewable energy future.” He warned that while climate change continues to accelerate, the burden remains unfairly distributed: “Those who contributed least to this crisis are paying the highest price.”
He framed the crisis not just as an environmental threat, but as a development crisis, a public health crisis, and most of all, a matter of justice. In this context, Eswatini was recognised as an active player, not a bystander. He commended the government’s progress to date, especially through the UNDP’s support, and urged the country to go further ahead of COP30.
According to Mr Wachira, Eswatini must now sharpen its focus on:
Energy security
Climate resilience
A just transition that delivers for the people, especially the most vulnerable
He emphasised the need to revise and strengthen Eswatini’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which form part of the country’s international climate commitments. He called for national ambition and global solidarity in responding to what the Secretary General has described as “a moment of opportunity.”
Alongside the address, a major technical report was released by global institutions including the IMF, UNDP, IRENA, and the World Bank. It outlines how climate ambition can fuel economic transformation and generate shared prosperity. Wachira posed a critical question: How can Eswatini seize this opportunity?
“Today, global investments in renewables have surpassed those in fossil fuels,” he noted. He closed by urging all attendees to listen attentively, not just to the urgency of the Secretary General’s words, but to the opportunity they represent for Eswatini and the world.
In summary, the UN urged Eswatini to lead a just, inclusive clean energy transition.
George Wachira called for stronger climate commitments as a path to economic and social progress.
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