MBABANE -The Kingdom of Eswatini has launched a major reporting initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and unlocking international climate finance.
This transpired during a conference on climate change held at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday, to mark the official inception of the country’s Second Biennial Transparency Report (BTR2) and Fifth National Communication (NC5).
Through the launched report, the country has intensified its push for climate accountability and global credibility as its push to position itself financially prepared to withstand climate change.
Delivering the opening and welcome remarks, the Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane said the gathering of government officials, development partners, academia, civil society and private sector representatives reflected a shared national commitment to safeguarding the country’s environmental future.
Among those present were the representatives from various government departments, officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), academia and research institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector players and youth organisations.
Milestone
The minister described the initiative as a critical milestone in the country’s climate journey, noting that the project, which commenced in 2024, will run for 48 months until 2027.
Supported by the Global Environment Facility with funding amounting to US$1.23 million (E22.8 million), the programme is designed to strengthen the country’s compliance with the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, also known as the COP21 and came into force in 2016.
The COP21 is a global climate treaty in which countries committed to limit global warming to well below 2°C, while pursuing efforts to keep it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
It further requires nations to submit and regularly update their climate action plans (Nationally Determined Contributions -NDCs) as well as reporting transparently on their progress.
Simelane explained that under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, countries were now required to adhere to the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), a system that replaces fragmented reporting mechanisms with a unified and more rigorous approach.
“For Eswatini, this transition marks a shift from the traditional Measurement, Reporting and Verification system to a more robust and frequent reporting structure that reflects our climate actions with greater accuracy,” he said.
According to her, the country submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report in 2024, an achievement the minister described as historic. Moving forward, she said country’s attention was now focused on delivering the combined BTR2 and NC5 submission by December 2026.
In her speech, she also emphasised that the reports would play a central role in evidence-based policymaking by providing reliable data to measure national progress in addressing climate change.
Climate finance
Beyond domestic planning, the minister said transparency in reporting would strengthen the country’s standing on the global stage.
“This process sends a strong signal to international partners and investors that Eswatini is committed to accountability. It enhances our ability to mobilise climate finance from those who prioritise accurate and verifiable data,” she added.
The reports will also serve as the country’s primary instruments for tracking progress on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline commitments to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
The minister called on all stakeholders to actively participate in the process, stressing that the success of the project depended on collaboration across sectors.
She highlighted the importance of high-quality data collection from key sectors such as energy, agriculture, waste and forestry, noting that comprehensive reporting would require coordinated efforts from government departments, academia and the private sector.
“There must be full ownership from every institution represented here. This is not just a government exercise but a national responsibility,” he said.
Gender-responsive
The minister stressed on the need for inclusivity, urging stakeholders to ensure that the reporting process was gender-responsive and takes into account the voices of marginalised groups.
“These groups are not only vulnerable to climate change but are also key advocates for a sustainable future,” she stated.
The minister also expressed gratitude to the GEF for financial support and to international partners for their technical assistance, saying their contributions were vital in strengthening Eswatini’s climate governance systems.
She also noted that the strength of the country’s climate reports would ultimately depend on the strength of partnerships forged during the process.
“As we move from technical groundwork to full implementation, we must remember that collaboration is the foundation of success,” she said.
The workshop marked the beginning of a comprehensive reporting cycle that is expected to shape national climate policy and reinforce the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable development.
The minister concluded her speech by officially declaring the BTR2/NC5 Inception Workshop open.
Kuhle Hlophe, who is the National Project Coordinator for BTR2/ NC5 following the proceedings of presentations made by various speakers during the workshop on climate funding on Thursday, at the Hilton Garden Hotel, Mbabane.