Baku – His Majesty King Mswati III has called on United Nations member states to commit to practical solutions that place people at the heart of urban development, delivering Eswatini’s national statement at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The forum is running under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” and King Mswati used his address to share how the Kingdom approaches urban growth through its Tinkhundla system of governance.
“In the Kingdom of Eswatini, we place people at the centre of all development. We pursue sustainable urban growth that goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship, economic inclusion and social cohesion,” the King said.
He outlined the Kingdom’s national priorities, saying: “Our national priorities focus on affordable housing, quality infrastructure, integrated spatial planning and environmental sustainability for both urban and rural. Guiding our efforts is the Tinkhundla system of governance, which is our people-centred approach that promotes grassroots consultation, broad participation and shared responsibility.”
The King said the Tinkhundla system ensures that development priorities come directly from communities, adding: “This system ensures development priorities emerge from the communities themselves and that no women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, or marginalised groups, are left behind.”
Closing his address, King Mswati called on world leaders gathered at the forum to look beyond the present, saying: “As we deliberate during this forum, let us commit to practical solutions and renewed determination to build inclusive, resilient, safe and sustainable cities and communities for all. Let us act not only for our generation, but for those who will inherit the decisions we make today.”
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