Mbabane – The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development held a key annual review meeting on December 4, 2025, at the Eswatini Government and UNICEF 2025 Annual Review. The session, which included government officials, UNICEF representatives, and civil society groups, focused on the progress made in achieving the goals outlined in the joint Government-UNICEF workplan for the year.
Representing the Principal Secretary of the Ministry, Thabsile Mlangeni, was Nombulelo Dlamini, Director of the National Population Unit. Dlamini welcomed the attendees, highlighting the meeting’s importance in assessing the progress of child welfare initiatives and setting priorities for 2026. The meeting aimed to take stock of achievements and establish areas for future intervention to improve outcomes for children across the Kingdom.
Dlamini noted that a recent evaluation of UNICEF’s Country Programme Document (CPD) revealed strong alignment with the priorities of the Government of Eswatini. This alignment reflects the depth of the partnership between the government and UNICEF, as both work towards improving the lives of children nationwide. 
UNICEF’s contribution to Eswatini’s child welfare efforts was also acknowledged, particularly in strengthening the country’s human capital. Initiatives in health, nutrition, education, child protection, and HIV prevention have significantly impacted children and youth, particularly adolescents. UNICEF’s efforts in digital transformation, governance capacity-building, and integrated service delivery have bolstered the nation’s ability to make data-driven, accountable decisions, improving service delivery to children.
A standout achievement was UNICEF’s role in ensuring zero vaccine stockouts in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, thus ensuring consistent vaccination for children across the Kingdom. Additionally, UNICEF has focused on reaching children in remote and hard-to-reach areas, with interventions designed to ensure that no child is left behind. This includes conducting rapid assessments to adjust programs to the changing needs of children.
Dlamini also expressed optimism about further deepening the partnership with UNICEF, with hopes of achieving even more transformative results for the children of Eswatini. The meeting concluded with a call for continued engagement and collaboration towards the shared goal of improving child welfare.
