Mbabane – A high level consultative workshop led by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of Eswatini has concluded work on a comprehensive assessment of the country’s forestry laws and capacity needs. The session brought together the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Justice to validate findings under the programme titled Governing for Sustainable Agrifood Systems.
The workshop examined gaps in the current forestry legislation, including the protection of wetlands, and reviewed the draft Forestry Bill. Officials confirmed that the validated National Legal Report will guide efforts to modernise the legal framework, improve governance and strengthen enforcement in line with national priorities and global agreements such as the UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity and COMESA commitments.
FAO development law consultant Eugenio Francesco Dandrea introduced the ForestLEX plus tool, which is used by the FAO Development Law Service and the Office of Climate Change and Biodiversity to support countries carrying out legislative reform. He said the tool provides a structured approach for countries to assess their laws, identify gaps and determine the support they require.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Sydney Simelane said government will act on the recommendations to ensure reforms are consistent with international obligations, national development plans and the needs of communities that rely on forest resources.
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