His Majesty King Mswati III says stronger parliamentary diplomacy between Africa and Europe is critical to addressing growing global challenges.
He said lawmakers from both regions have an important responsibility to promote democratic governance, accountability, peace and development while ensuring international partnerships respond meaningfully to the needs of citizens.
The King was represented by Prince Lindani during the official opening of the first Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly at the Ezulwini Palazzo yesterday.
“The convening of this inaugural Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly represents an important chapter in parliamentary diplomacy between our two regions,” the King said.
His Majesty said the international community was currently confronting interconnected challenges, including climate change, debt pressures, rapid technological transformation and geopolitical instability, which require strengthened international solidarity, practical cooperation and renewed commitment to multilateralism.
Therefore, the King positioned parliamentary cooperation as increasingly important in shaping responses to these global challenges, saying discussions during the assembly would focus on regional peace and security cooperation, youth education and mobility, women’s empowerment in agriculture value chains, critical minerals partnerships and reforms of multilateral institutions.
Furthermore, His Majesty stressed that Africa’s development priorities must remain focused on industrialisation, infrastructure development, value addition, food security, youth employment and technological innovation.
On another note, he said Africa’s natural resources, particularly critical minerals, should contribute directly to inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for African people instead of benefiting external markets alone.
The King also emphasised the importance of investing in youth and women through education, entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development, describing them as central to Africa’s economic transformation and long-term prosperity.
The head of State reaffirmed Eswatini’s support for the Samoa Agreement, which is the framework governing relations between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
According to the King, the agreement provides an important platform for advancing cooperation in trade and investment, governance, climate resilience, digital transformation, education and sustainable economic growth.
“Africa’s development priorities remain clear. Our partnerships must support industrialisation, infrastructure development, value addition, food security, youth employment and technological innovation.
“We also believe that Africa’s natural resources, including critical minerals, must contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for African people,” the King said.
In the spirit of the Samoa Agreement, the King further highlighted Eswatini’s commitment to peace, dialogue and international cooperation, while calling for Africa’s voice to be strengthened within global governance institutions and international decision-making processes.
He also welcomed the inclusion of youth, women and business forums alongside the parliamentary proceedings, saying the approach reflected broader and more inclusive participation in Africa-EU cooperation.
“The inclusion of the youth forum, women’s forum and business forum alongside the parliamentary proceedings demonstrates a commendable people-centred and inclusive approach to cooperation,” stated the King.
