His Majesty King Mswati III has underscored the important role played by parliamentarians in promoting democratic governance, accountability, peace and development.
The King made the remarks during the official opening of the OACPS-EU 1st Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday at the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre (ICC).
In his address, the King described the assembly as an important chapter in parliamentary diplomacy between Africa and Europe.
“Parliamentarians play a vital role in promoting democratic governance, accountability, peace and development,” said the King. “It further ensures that international partnerships respond meaningfully to the aspirations of our people.”
He said the programme of the assembly addressed issues of strategic importance to both continents, including peace and security, youth mobility and education, women’s economic empowerment, critical minerals partnerships and the future of multilateralism.
The King also welcomed the inclusion of youth, women and business forums alongside the parliamentary proceedings, saying the approach reflected inclusivity and people-centred 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,” he said.
King Mswati III said the programme further reflected the growing importance of parliamentary cooperation in addressing contemporary global challenges.
According to the King, discussions scheduled during the assembly include regional peace and security cooperation, youth education and mobility, women’s empowerment in agricultural value chains, critical minerals partnerships and reforms of multilateral institutions.
He noted that the international community continued to face interconnected challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, geopolitical tensions, debt pressures and rapid technological transformation.
“These realities require strengthened international solidarity, practical cooperation and renewed commitment to effective multilateralism,” he said.
The King also reaffirmed Eswatini’s support for the Samoa Agreement, describing it as an important framework governing relations between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.
“Eswatini remains supportive of the Samoa Agreement as the new framework governing relations between the OACPS and the European Union,” he said.
He stated that the agreement provided a platform for advancing cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, governance, climate resilience, education, digital transformation and sustainable economic growth.
The King further outlined Africa’s development priorities, saying partnerships should support industrialisation, infrastructure development, value addition, food security, youth employment and technological innovation.
He also stressed that Africa’s natural resources, including critical minerals, should contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for African people.
“Equally important is investment in our youth through education, entrepreneurship, skills development and innovation,” said the King.
He added that young people and women remained central to Africa’s economic transformation and long-term prosperity.
Delegates from African and European countries are gathered in Eswatini for the inaugural Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly, which is expected to deliberate on a range of regional and global issues affecting both continents.
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