REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY RUSSELL M. DLAMINI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI, AT THE SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE

23 September 2024, United Nations, New York

 Co-Chairs of the Summit of the Future,
Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is a great honour to address the Summit of the Future on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, where world leaders have gathered to commit to “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.” This Summit is an opportunity to take bold actions that will shape the future of our planet and the well-being of generations to come.

2. We commend the co-facilitators of the outcome documents—the Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, and Pact on Future Generations—for their stellar work.

3. Humanity faces unprecedented global challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and technological transformation. No single nation can tackle these challenges alone. The Global Pact for the Future calls for a renewed, inclusive, equitable, and responsive multilateral system.

Reforming Global Governance – The Ezulwini Consensus

4. Eswatini, along with other African nations, has long called for reforms to the United Nations to create a more inclusive and representative global governance system. The Ezulwini Consensus remains a cornerstone of this call.

5. The current structure of the Security Council does not reflect modern geopolitical realities, particularly the underrepresentation of Africa. Expanding the Security Council to include permanent representation for Africa and other marginalized regions is essential for maintaining its legitimacy and addressing global security challenges. This reform is critical to building trust in global institutions.

Inclusion of Taiwan in the International System

6. Eswatini believes Taiwan must be included in the international system. Taiwan contributes significantly to global public health, economic development, and technological innovation. Excluding Taiwan limits global cooperation when it is most needed. We call for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.

Debt Restructuring and Reform of the International Financial System

7. The COVID-19 pandemic, economic shocks, and the climate crisis have exposed vulnerabilities in the international financial system. Many developing nations face unsustainable debt, limiting their investment in critical areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

8. Eswatini calls for comprehensive debt restructuring and reforms to international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, ensuring they respond to the needs of developing nations. Fairer access to financing for climate resilience and development is also crucial.

Climate Action and Sustainable Development

9. Although Eswatini, like other developing countries, contributes little to the climate crisis, it is heavily impacted by it. While we have made significant improvements in disaster risk governance, urgent climate finance from developed nations is crucial to help mitigate and adapt to these effects.

10. As we work to reduce emissions and meet our commitments, developing nations must continue to prioritize industrialization and energy security to achieve their development goals.

Harnessing Technology and Bridging the Digital Divide

11. Technological advancements create opportunities for development but have also widened the digital divide. Eswatini recognizes the transformative potential of digital technologies but urges technologically advanced nations to support affordable technology sharing with developing countries and address risks from emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. We must ensure technology becomes a tool for inclusion, not inequality.

Youth, Future Generations, and Global Solidarity

12. The actions we take today will define the world future generations inherit. With a median age of 22, Eswatini has a youthful population, and we must develop their human capital to contribute meaningfully to society. Many of the societal ills that we are currently battling with, emanate from the breakdown of the family structure and marginalization of the family institution. We must find ways to strengthen these structures and the institution to mitigate against these problems.

 Strengthening Multilateralism and Rebuilding Trust

13. This Summit presents a unique opportunity to rebuild trust in the multilateral system. The crises we face require urgent, coordinated international cooperation.

14. Eswatini recommits to the principles of equity, solidarity, and universality outlined in the Global Pact for the Future. Through meaningful reform of global institutions, particularly the UN and international financial system, we can rebuild the trust needed for effective multilateralism.

Conclusion

15. In conclusion, the Summit of the Future offers an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the global system. We call for reforms through the Ezulwini Consensus, equitable representation in decision-making forums, Taiwan’s inclusion, and stronger climate action, finance restructuring, and digital inclusion.

16. Let us seize this moment and build a future that leaves no one behind.

I thank you.