Investor Presentaiton

Result 1: Generated Cutting-edge Evidence for Food Systems Strengthening The UN assessed food systems in Eswatini and identified gaps and opportunities in the agro-food systems value chains. This resulted in the comprehensive review of 12 agricultural development plans to integrate climate smart initiatives for improved food security; and recognition and registration of two value chain and commodity associations by the Government of Eswatini to promote and optimise efforts, eliminate waste and improve profitability. Three (3) Technical Cooperation Projects designed to support and strengthen agro-food systems and Phase one draft of the irrigation masterplan was completed in 2022. Furthermore, the assessment fast tracked the commitment and establishment of the Agricultural Development Fund; with a government financial injection of USD 277,777. On the other hand, approximately 68,000 received cash transfers and 220 people living with HIV supported with starter packs for livelihoods. To achieve Zero hunger while improving nutrition, the UN has targeted and provided assistance to vulnerable groups (women, children, elderly) in the rural and peri-urban areas with food assistance and cash-based transfer. Through the Home-grown School feeding project, the UN has continued to support the procurement of food commodities from smallholder maize and beans farmers to contribute to poverty reduction in rural areas. The UN has targeted different vulnerable and marginalised groups such as key population, PLHIV, women and youth with livelihood interventions. Result 2: Improved Productive Employment and Decent Work With UN technical and financial support, three key initiatives were achieved to improve productive employment and decent work in the Kingdom of Eswatini: (a) The first ever bipartite dialogue held between the Trade Union Congress of Eswatini (TUCOSWA) and Business Eswatini (BE) on threats to existing and new jobs, led to the proposal for the establishment of a Workers Compensation Fund. (b) A multistakeholder review of the current system of work injury claims administered on the principle of employer liability led to a proposed conversion of Eswatini National Provident Fund to a National Pension Fund. (c) A diagnostic assessment was commissioned to examine the incidence and forms of informality and decent work deficits in homework arrangements in Eswatini, with the aim to generate policy recommendations to improve the livelihoods of homebased workers. Result 3: Initiated Child-Sensitive Social Protection System In 2022, the UN initiated the first ever child-sensitive national social protection system by convening over 60 multidisciplinary and international stakeholders, including government, CSOS, UN agencies, IFIs, and development donors. The deliberations were informed by regional lessons from South Africa and Lesotho in the area of national development of child grants, and World Bank's global development of adaptive social protection systems. Meanwhile, access to nutritious food was enhanced for 59,000 orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) who received food assistance through 1,700 neighbourhood care points. CO Result 4: Strengthened Evidence based National Sustainable Development Three major catastrophic events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, tropical cyclone storm and sequential civil unrest, led to unquantifiable loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of production inputs and outputs. The UN, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, supported Eswatini to review the National Development Plan (NDP) for 2023/24 - 2027/28, to provide an aggregate quantification of losses of production output, property and other infrastructure. The report is an empirical one- stop summary analysis for climate shocks, cash flow issues and other external shocks. Under the African Union Agenda 2063, the First Ten- Years Implementation Plan (FTYIP) [2014 to 2023] outlines a set of goals, priority areas and targets and 15 flagship projects that the continent aims to deliver at national, regional, and continental levels. The UN, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD, commissioned the review of the FTYIP to assess the extent in which the Agenda 2063 has been implemented. The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development has completed the review of progress of the first TYIP. The UN also supported review of the National Population Policy and drafting of the 2022 Vulnerability and Integrated Phase Classification assessment report to inform national development policy and programming. Result 5: Coordinated National Sustainable Development Goals Reporting The UN supported the Kingdom of Eswatini to prepare its 2022 Voluntary National Review (VNR) report. The process enabled the Kingdom to take stock of implementation progress of all 17 SDGs, reflect on the efforts still needed as well as share experiences thus far. The UN, in collaboration with government, private sector and civil society, has launched the Eswatini Investor Map on SDG-enabling investment opportunities and conditions in target markets and sectors. The Map has identified six sectors which are: (1) Food and Beverage, (2) Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy, (3) Infrastructure, (4) Financials, (5) Healthcare, and (6) Education. Out of these prioritized sectors, 14 investment opportunities were identified. The Map provides investors with relevant market intelligence for highlighted investment opportunity areas along with data on the expected development impact and financial prospects of such investments. In 2022, the UN has continued to support 1500 Neighbourhood Care Points (NCP) with nutrition sensitive meals for 55,000 children under 5 years and has continued to support government through the Deputy Prime Minister's Office with reviewing the NCP strategy which is aimed to improve management of the NCPs in Eswatini. Through the Home-Grown School Feeding, the UN has continued to support 23,000 school going children in 50 schools with nutrition sensitive meals. Result 6: Improved Youth Empowerment and Employability The UN incollaboration with the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs (MOSCYA) and Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MOLSS) successfully designed and launched the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP). The objective of the Youth Fellowship Programme is to reduce youth unemployment by 50% by 2025 through connecting young talented graduates with local job opportunities, and empowering non- graduates with digital, entrepreneurship and artisan skills to create jobs for themselves and contribute to the socio-economic development of Eswatini. The ultimate aim of the programme is to absorb the 4,000 graduates coming out of the various tertiary institutions annually, through a 12-months learn to earn volunteerism model, whilst giving non-graduate youth the opportunity to choose from a number of marketable skills, including digital skills, renewable energy skills, artisan skills and an entrepreneurship support programme. 22 UN ANNUAL RESULTS REPORT | 2022 23 ESWATINI