Vienna – His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela, Minister of Energy Affairs, represented Eswatini at the 69th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference held in Vienna, Austria from 15 to 19 September 2025.
Prince Lonkhokhela, one of the high-ranking delegates, spoke as the second presenter following Iran and before the European Union. During his address, he outlined Eswatini’s commitment to using nuclear science and technology for sustainable development.
The Minister detailed the country’s progress in areas supported by the IAEA, including cancer treatment, water resource management, pest control, and livestock health. Eswatini also highlighted its participation in the IAEA’s Water Availability Enhancement (IWAVE) programme and the creation of a national Hydrological Gap Plan.
A major announcement at the conference was the completion of preliminary designs for the country’s first public Radiotherapy Facility at Manzini Government Hospital. The €10 million project is expected to tackle the nation’s high cancer mortality rate and reduce dependence on overseas treatment funded through the Phalala Fund. The government has already committed initial resources and is appealing to international partners to support the initiative.
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