Mbabane – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu received United Kingdom Special Envoy to the Commonwealth John Virgeo in Mbabane on Thursday, May 1, 2026, with discussions centring on Eswatini’s priorities within the Commonwealth framework and preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.
Virgeo was introduced to the Minister by United Kingdom High Commissioner to Eswatini Colin Wells.
The two sides discussed identifying and refining Eswatini’s key priorities within the Commonwealth, particularly around advancing sustainable development, enhancing trade and investment opportunities and strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change. 
The meeting also explored ways of deepening cooperation between Eswatini and the United Kingdom, including alignment on the country’s priorities within the Commonwealth ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026, which is scheduled to take place in November in Antigua and Barbuda.
The parties exchanged views on potential areas of collaboration to be put forward during CHOGM 2026, and discussed the importance of using the platform to attract strategic partnerships and investment into priority sectors of Eswatini’s economy.
