Mbabane – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu received Dr. Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director of the Economic Development, Trade and Investment Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat, for a courtesy call today. Dr. Kattumuri is in Eswatini on a working visit to explore collaboration opportunities between the Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Dr. Kattumuri, who has over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and policy work, leads strategic initiatives at the Commonwealth Secretariat aimed at promoting economic resilience and sustainable development across member nations.
During the meeting, Minister Shakantu and Dr. Kattumuri discussed economic development, climate finance, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Kattumuri’s expertise and her leadership in innovative interdisciplinary programmes are seen as supportive of Eswatini’s developmental objectives. 
She is also the architect of the Commonwealth Universal Vulnerability Index, a tool used to assess economic vulnerabilities and guide access to development funding, including climate finance. Dr. Kattumuri has led initiatives such as the Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor programme, integrating economic and urban development strategies.
Minister Shakantu said, “Collaboration with international bodies is important for achieving sustainable development objectives for Eswatini.”
