Swaziland

Welcome to UNDP Swaziland

Why we work in the country

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of halving absolute poverty by 2015. UNDP's network links global and national efforts to reach these Goals. Our focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: Achieving the MDGs and Reducing Poverty, fostering Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Energy and Environment for Sustainable Development, and responding to HIV/AIDS. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.

The Standard Basic Framework Agreement signed between UNDP and the
Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland on the 28th October 1977 forms the basis for UNDP development support to the Kingdom. The agreement was signed by Shahid Hussain as Resident Representative and Dr. Zonke Khumalo who was Acting Prime Minister of Swaziland.

The agreement outlines the basic conditions under which UNDP and its executing agencies would assist the government carry out development projects, which were described as advisory services and consultants, including provision of expert consultancy firms or organizations selected by UNDP.

From time to time, national development priorities are identified in a consultative and inclusive process involving all national development stakeholders leading to the signing of a five year United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF).

The current UNDAF which covers the period from 2006 to 2010 identifies three
programme priorities to be Poverty Eradication, HIV & AIDS, and Good Governance and Gender Mainstreaming as well as Basic Social Services.  Annually, UNDP in consultation with its development partners develops a workplan which outlines the specific development projects to be undertaken during the year.

Since Swaziland adopted its Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Programme (PRSAP) in 2007, UNDP along with all UN agencies in Swaziland have tailored their programmes to respond to the priority programmes set out in the PRSAP.