Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says the 10th Ketagalan Forum held in Taiwan will focus on unlocking new opportunities in trade, investment, technology, and skills development.
He said this would be aimed at deepening the country’s long-standing strategic partnership with Taiwan.
Dlamini made the remarks yesterday shortly after arriving at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where together with the Eswatini delegation were received by Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, François Chih-chung Wu.
He will be participating in the 10th Ketagalan Forum, an international platform for dialogue and exchange between Taiwan and its global partners. This year’s forum brings together leaders and policymakers to discuss issues relating to regional peace, democracy and prosperity. The premier is among the keynote speakers invited to address the gathering. The forum starts today.
Speaking upon his arrival, Dlamini said the visit reaffirmed Eswatini’s enduring partnership with Taiwan while advancing shared priorities of peace, development, innovation and inclusive prosperity.
“I am honoured to have arrived in Taiwan for a visit that affirms Eswatini’s enduring partnership with Taiwan and advances our shared priorities of peace, development, innovation and inclusive prosperity,” he said.
The premier conveyed warm greetings from His Majesty King Mswati III and the people of Eswatini to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te and expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to the delegation.
He described the relationship between the two countries as one built on principle and progress, saying it had stood the test of time through mutual respect, shared values and a common commitment to improving the lives of citizens.
Wu shortly after his arrival in Taiwan yesterday. The prime minister is one of keynote speakers to address the gathering during the 10th Ketagalan Forum an international platform for dialogue and exchange between Taiwan and its global partners. (Courtesy pics)
Dlamini noted that Taiwan had remained one of Eswatini’s most dependable development partners, supporting critical sectors, including health, agriculture, education, technology, infrastructure and private sector development.
He said discussions during the visit would seek to build on that cooperation by identifying fresh opportunities for collaboration.
According to the prime minister, his programme included engagements with President Lai Ching-te aimed at expanding trade and investment, strengthening cooperation in technology and innovation, advancing health and agricultural development and promoting skills transfer to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations and create new avenues for cooperation that would benefit future generations.
“I am confident that this visit will further consolidate the excellent relations between our two countries and open new avenues of cooperation that deliver lasting benefit for present and future generations,” he said.
According to the Ketagalan Forum’s website, the event would also be attended by 12 prominent political leaders, parliamentarians, scholars, and experts from nine countries across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Latin America.
They will engage with their Taiwanese counterparts in discussions on the practice of democratic resilience, construction of joint defences for the Indo-Pacific region, and the shaping of non-red supply chains.
In addition, a campaign to express concern and to counter China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress will be launched. As part of this campaign, like-minded allies and partners in the international community will be encouraged to collectively monitor China’s attempts at extraterritorial jurisdiction and transnational repression, unite in countering this law, and together forge a resilient global defence.
