Foreign Affairs & International cooperation

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Swaziland in Geneva was established during the second half of 2005. It is accredited to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva. These include but not limited to the following:

GENEVA BASED ORGANISATIONS
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (UNAIDS);
International Labour Organization (ILO);
International Organization for Migration (IOM);
International Telecommunication Union (ITU);
International Trade Centre (ITC);
International Red Cross and Red Crescent;
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR);
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS);
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA);
Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR);
Office of the High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR);
World Trade Organization (WTO);
World Health Organizations (WHO);
World Meteorological Organization (WMO);
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO);
United Nations Conference on Development and Trade (UNCTAD);
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDR);
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); and
Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The Mission is also accredited to the following United Nations Organizations based in Rome (Italy,) Vienna (Austria), Bonn (Germany) and Paris (France).
Rome, Italy-based Organizations:
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO);
International Fund for Agricultural Development Agency (IFAD);
World Food programme (WFP).

VIENNA, AUSTRALIA - BASED ORGANISATIONS
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

BONN, GERMANY - BASED ORGANISATIONS
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD);
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

PARIS, FRANCE - BASED ORGANISATIONS
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In addition, the Mission has bilateral accreditation with the following countries:
Austria;
Hungary;
Russian Federation;
Switzerland; and
Ukraine,

MISSION OBJECTIVES

• To canvass and co-ordinate high level bilateral political engagements between the Swazi Government leadership and Heads of International Organizations as well as their counterparts from the United Nations Member States.
• To represent the Kingdom of Swaziland and raise its profile in all the United Nations Organizations and other International Organizations based in Geneva (Switzerland); Paris (France); Rome (Italy); Vienna (Austria); and Bonn (Germany). These include the Organizations dealing with matters relating to: trade (UNCTAD, WTO and ITC, WIPO); food (FAO, IFAD and WFP); human rights (UNHCHR; health (WHO; UNAIDS and Global Fund); refugees (UNHCR); education UNESCO); climate change (WMO, UNCCD, UNFCCC); humanitarian  (OCHA, International Red Cross and Red Crescent); and disarmament (UNIDR); and international disaster (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
• To strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Swaziland and the countries of accreditation, namely, Austria; Hungary;  Switzerland; Russian Federation; and Ukraine.
• To promote and market the Kingdom of Swaziland as a source of imports for  foreign countries; alternative destination for foreign capital (investment) and tourists not only in the countries of accreditation but, in other countries as well.
• To promote and portray a positive image for the Kingdom of Swaziland; 
• To protect and/or defend the interest of Swaziland in countries of accreditation and  in the International Organizations.

UNIQUE BENEFITS

The Kingdom of Swaziland benefits immensely from the establishment of the Permanent Mission in Geneva, the seat of most United Nations and other International Organizations and thus a place where important decisions that are binding to all members of the United Nations family are negotiated. With such a physical presence, Swaziland is able to participate in these important meetings.

The unique benefits which Swaziland enjoy include but not limited to the following :

• Participation at the work of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in particular in the on-going WTO trade negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda; thereby protecting and safeguarding the Kingdom's trade interest;
• The Permanent Mission in Geneva acts as an intermediary between the International Organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Trade Conference on Trade and Developmnet (UNCTAD); International Trade Centre (ITC) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to coordinate technical assistance activities. In this respect, the Mission promptly disseminates and follows up on invitations for workshops, seminars, short courses, internships and symposiums to ensure that nominations are submitted within the deadlines and to liaise on matters arising from such activities. The technical assistance as well as the training opportunities go a long way into helping to build and enhance the greatly needed institutional and human capacities of Government and private sector officials on trade and trade related matters, including on trade policy formulations and negotiating skills.
• The Mission negotiates scholarships from the countries of bilateral accreditation   and International Organizations for Swazi nationals thereby further contributing to capacity building.
• The physical presence of the Mission in Geneva also allows Swaziland to participate, contribute and influence negotiations foremost in the regional groupings in which she is a member but, but ultimately, also in the International Organizations were decisions are ultimately taken. This unique opportunity to defend Swaziland's interests and safeguard her national position during negotiations would not only be challenging without a Mission presence in Geneva, but would be virtually impossible given that regional meetings to consolidate positions or endorse proposals are usually scheduled on a daily basis.
• The Mission actively lobbys for Swaziland to be considered as an alternative venue for regional courses offered by the International Organizations, such as the three (3) month Regional Trade Policy Course for English Speaking African countries which was jointly hosted by the University of Swaziland and the World Trade Organizations (WTO). In this regard, the Mission also played a critical role in negotiating for the one year extension. The Mission has also lobbied for a number of short courses to be held in Swaziland as well. Without a physical presence in Geneva, Swaziland would never have been given the opportunity to host any of the courses and workshops.
• The Mission also lobbys for Swaziland to be considered as a location for hosting international meetings such the Third United Nations Ministerial Meeting for Land Locked Developing Countries which was in Mbabane in October 2009.
• The Mission lobbys all the regional groupings in which Swaziland is a member for support during the consideration of issues relating to Swaziland in the International Organizations.
• The Mission also engages the concerned International Organizations to present the and clarify the Kingdom's true position.

INTRODUCTION

The Office of the High Commission diligently represents the country in the facilitation of engagements in Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and other Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations resident in South Africa accredited to Swaziland.

Summary of Major Engagements
(a) Facilitation of visits by: Royalty, prominent dignitaries and top / Government officials and other Swazi nationals on transit to other parts of the world through South Africa.
Royalty and other Swazi Nationals who need specialized medical attention, education, religious activities, sports and recreation and private matters. Stranded Swazi Nationals who need financial and logistics assistance from the mission. Prominent Swazi Nationals attending and engaging in events, meetings, summits, conferences in SA. These are crucial engagements that have direct and indirect bearing on the Swaziland Tourism and investments opportunities.
(b)  Engagements and processes related to trade, investments and tourism promotion,
Political, Social, Administrative and International relations.
(c) Monitoring Of Media Houses Activities In South Africa

PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS
The High Commissioner presented his Credentials to the President of the Republic of South Africa on 28 October 2010.  He is however, still waiting for Letters of Credence from the Ministry to enable him to present to the other countries he is accredited to namely; Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola. 


CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS
SADC Troika Summit Lesotho:  22 February 2010
The High Commission facilitated the attendance and participation of His Majesty King Mswati III. The Acting High Commissioner and the First Secretary also attended the Summit.
(b)  SADC Troika Summit  -  Botswana:  12 TO 13 July 2010
The attendance by His Majesty King Mswati III of the Troika Summit in Botswana was also facilitated by the Office of the High Commission.
(c)  Briefing for The Heads Of Mission On SACU Summit – Windhoek,     Namibia: 26th February 2010
The purpose of the briefing for the SACU member states was preparation for the first SACU Summit  in Windhoek. The main agenda was the provision of strategic leadership and transformation of SACU. The Acting High Commissioner attended the briefing.
(d)  SACU Heads Of State And Government Summit  -  Windhoek: 19TH April 2010
His Majesty King Mswati III’s participation and attendance of the Summit  was facilitated by the Office of The High Commission.
(e)  SACU Heads Of States And Government Summit  -  Pretoria: 15 To     16            July
The High Commission facilitated the attendance and participation of His Majesty King Mswati III.
(f) 30TH Jubilee Summit Of SADC Heads Of State And Government  -             Windhoek -  16 TO 17 August 2010
His Majesty King Mswati III together with eleven (11) other SADC Heads of States    attended the Summit. The Acting High Commissioner also attended.
(g)  Namibia’s 20th Independence Anniversary Celebration AND         Presidential Inauguration,Namibia
Swaziland was one of Namibia’s neighbor States invited to the celebration of Namibia’s 20th Independence. During the same event President Pohamba was inaugurated as the new President . The His Excellency The Right Honourable Prime Minister Dr. S.B. Dlamini attended representing the country.


 FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP 
The Office of the High Commission facilitated the attendance of His Majesty King    Mswati III of this world flagship event. He graced the opening of the FIFA 2010 ceremony together with other 19 Heads of State and Government, invited by the President of the Republic of South Africa  Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.
During the closing ceremony His Majesty the King also attended the “One Goal Education Summit  at the Presidential Guest House at the invitation of His Excellency the President.

HERITAGE DAY
The aim of this annual event in South Africa is to promote culture and tradition of all the ethnic groups in order to enhance and promote cultural awareness.  The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force was invited by the Department of Defence in South Africa as an outcome of the Joint Bilateral Agreement signed in 2005 between the two (2) Governments, concerning co-operation in the area of defence. The Umbutfo Defence Force did not just attend the event or showcase our culture, but was honoured and awarded first prize, which created a positive image for Swaziland.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION
New Vehicle Manufacturing Plant
Trend Capital Holdings Limited based in Hong Kong, have submitted a proposal of a Rotrax Vehicle Manufacturing Plant in Swaziland. The designers and owners of the rights to the vehicle are based in Johannesburg, and have had the vehicle tested and approved by SABS and the South African Defence Force for manufacturing and sale to the public.  This project is however still in the infancy stage
Timber And Biomass Power Project
Another proposal, with discussions at an advanced level, is the Timber and Biomass Power Project  whereby 5000 kwe to 6000 kwe Power Plant can be sustained just using the waste Biomass left over after harvesting the trees. The harvested trees can be cut into high quality Boards which can be utilized for house construction, furniture etc., providing much needed jobs.
 Anydrous Fuel Grade Ethanol
Roux consolidated Investments, a company based in South Africa, has been conducting a feasibility study on Anhydrous Bio-Fuel Grade Ethanol in Swaziland. At the time of reporting the progress status had not been ascertained.

REPARTRIATION OF SWAZI NATIONALS FROM LINDELA AND OTHER INSTITUTES
During the period under review a total number of fifty six (56) Swazis were repartriated from South Africa to Swaziland.  Fifty one (51) have been booked at Lindela Holding Institution after violating immigration legislation, two (2) from psychiatric institutions whilst three were minors that were abandoned in this country.

BACKGROUND
This Embassy was established in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s mission to “establish and maintain international relations and cooperation between Swaziland and the international community”. The Embassy is a bilateral station that is accredited only to the Republic of China on Taiwan; its purpose therefore is to safeguard and promote the interests of the Swazi nation in Taiwan and also to keep the Government of Swaziland and the general Swazi public informed of both political and economic developments taking place in the

EMBASSY OBJECTIVES

• Maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan
• Promote trade and investment relations and with the Republic of China on Taiwan
• Assist Swazi nationals who reside in the Republic of China on Taiwan in cases of emergency and monitor their welfare
• And also to build and maintain a positive image of the Kingdom of Swaziland in the Republic of China on Taiwan.

HOW EMBASSY BENEFITS SWAZILAND
Diplomacy nowadays has shifted from political to commercial and this means that it has become very important for economies such as that of Swaziland to concentrate more on investment, trade and tourism promotion. Therefore the existence of this Embassy has become even more beneficial in terms of attracting investment into the Kingdom of Swaziland. Up to now this Embassy has been key in the area of attracting investment from Taiwan as witnessed by the number of companies that have been established in Swaziland by Taiwanese investors. 
Swaziland has also benefitted from the presence of this Embassy in the following ways:

• Agriculture – the Embassy has been involved in the establishment by Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) of a demonstration farm that assists farmers with a production system for rice and sweet potato. Also in the establishment of maize production groups and training of farmers in dairy and piggery farming
• Training – the Embassy has been involved in negotiations leading to collaborations between Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Swaziland’s Ministry of Health that has led to the provision of training to Swazi health professionals in various health fields here in Taiwan. The Embassy has also been involved in negotiations for the training of Swazi students at varying levels from short courses to PhD level in various fields of study. Last year there were over thirty five (35) students enrolled in Taiwanese universities. The new academic year, commencing in September, 2011; there are close to twenty (20) expected to start the 2011/2012 academic year. The Embassy has also been involved in the establishment of a handicraft training project by Taiwan’s ICDF. This handicraft training project at Ezulwini has expanded to include computer training (including computer repair/maintenance training).
• Health care – a medical cooperation agreement was signed in 2007 and the following year, 2008; a medical team of specialists from the Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH) that includes doctors, administrators and ICT specialists has been working at the Mbabane Government hospital. This team has been handling complicated cases that would have been otherwise referred to South Africa and thereby saving Government millions of Emalangeni in referral costs. Taiwan has also been sending teams of medical health workers every year to work in mobile clinics in all the rural areas of Swaziland. Some senior hospital staff have been on attachments of one to three months at TMUH (to gain practical hands-on-experience).
• Technical projects – the Embassy has been involved in work leading to the provision of technical (designs) and financial support for big projects such as Sikhuphe International Airport and the Biotechnology Park at Nokwane. Sikhuphe International Airport is almost ready for official commissioning and the Biotechnology Park’s designs have been finished and approved. The next stage on the Biotech Park is to start work on clearing the site and building infrastructure such as roads, sewer tanks, electricity lines, etc. Millions of Emalangeni have been paid by the Republic of China, Taiwan through the Mbabane Embassy.
• Other projects – the Embassy is always involved in yearly bilateral talks between Swaziland and R.O.C., Taiwan that have led to various projects that include the rural electrification, and the construction of boreholes in the rural areas of Swaziland, especially in the low-veld where there is scarcity of water. 
  There is also the partnership between Chunghwa Telecoms in Taiwan and SPTC in Swaziland that has led to the introduction of the broadband internet and other collaborations. More projects from these talks are on the way such the cooperation between universities in Taiwan and universities in Swaziland. Both countries continue to raise projects they want to discuss in these talks.
• Business – the Embassy, working with SIPA, the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce, and Tibiyo TakaNgwane in Swaziland and also the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan through organisations such as Africa-Taiwan Economic Forum (ATEF), Taiwan Trade office (TAITRA), Taiwan Africa Business Forum (TABA), Taiwan Africa Investment Development Association (TAIDA); continue to scout for investment for Swaziland in the areas of energy, manufacturing, technology, etc.
  More projects are possible; hopefully the Swaziland Government will embrace such initiatives with both hands and learn to act expeditiously. 

BACKGROUND
The Embassy was originally a High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya and it relocated to Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 2004 to become an Embassy. It was previously a bilateral station in Nairobi and it is now a multilateral station in Addis Ababa. The Embassy covers the following countries and international organisations.

Countries
• The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Republic of Tanzania
• Republic of Kenya
• Republic of Algeria
• The State of Israel
• Kingdom of Morocco
• Arab Republic of Egypt
• Republic of Uganda
In essence, the Embassy covers all African countries in exception of those the southern region.

International Organisations
• The African Union (AU) Addis Ababa
• The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Addis Ababa
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi
• United Nations HABITAT, Nairobi

EMBASSY OBJECTIVES
The objectives are numerous and they include the following:
• To ensure Swaziland honours all its commitments and obligations as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union
• To ensure that Swaziland participates in the formation of, signs, rectifies and domesticates all the Treaties and/or Legal instruments of the African Union
• To ensure the effective participation of the Kingdom in the integration agenda of the African Union
• To ensure implementation of the decision of the policy organs of the African Union and to participate in decision making process
• To ensure that The Kingdom of Swaziland benefits from the programmes and projects of the African Union
• To help popularise the African Union in the precincts’ of the Kingdom by promoting awareness through the line ministries.
• To ensure Swaziland utilises its quota in the Commission of the African Union by announcing vacancies.
• To protect and promote the interest of the Kingdom of Swaziland in all the countries of accreditation.

UNIQUE BENEFITS
The benefits are infinite and invaluable and not quantifiable. However, the following is true:
1. Peace and Security
• Under the peace and security architecture of the African Union, Swaziland stands to benefit from the collective responsibility of member states to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts
• The country stands to benefit from the notion of non-indifference as provided the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
• As a small country, it also stands to benefits from the Common African Defence and Security Policy which among other things ensures collective response to both internal and external threats to Africa and member states in particular.
• It also stands to benefit from the African Union boarder programme which seeks to achieve delineation, delimitation, demarcation of all African boarders by 2017 in order to curb the effects of structural conflicts in Africa.
2. Swaziland stands to benefit from the ripple effects of the integration process, the development of programmes and projects and from the strategic partnership of the African Union.
3. The country benefits from the embracement of the shared values of the African Union as enshrined in the various instruments of the Union (e.g.) democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law, respect of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and gender equity.
4. It stands to benefit from the capacity building and the strengthening of institution in member states.

 Swaziland’s Quota at the Commission of The African Union.

The Kingdom’s quota at the Commission stands at seven (7) positions.  However, there is only one (1) Swazi national who has occupied a professional position at the Commission.
Swazi Nationals are encouraged to take advantage of these posts by submitting applications whenever vacancies are announced or published. It should be stated that other countries take advantage of unused quotas.