ESWATINI’S Ambassador to Taiwan Vulindlela Kunene says the country will continue advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations.
Kunene made the remarks yesterday when presenting his credentials to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office in Taipei, marking the official commencement of his tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
He said the kingdom would continue to advocate for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations, arguing that global challenges, including pandemics and humanitarian crises, could not be effectively addressed while Taiwan remained excluded.
Kunene said the partnership between the two countries was evident in hospitals, where Taiwanese medical teams work alongside Emaswati health professionals, as well as on farms, in schools and universities and through technical and vocational training programmes.
He added that the growing number of locals who had acquired knowledge and skills through scholarships in Taiwan was another reflection of the longstanding partnership.
“I have the honour of conveying to Your Excellency the warmest greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” Kunene said.
He said the king and Indlovukazi recalled their many engagements with Taiwan’s leadership and people and attached the highest importance to the friendship between the two countries.
Kunene said the longstanding cordial relationship was increasingly visible through major economic and infrastructure initiatives, including the International Convention Centre (ICC), the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility and the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park.
He said these projects demonstrated that the partnership was entering a new phase focused on investment, industrialisation, energy security, technology transfer and employment creation.
“The closeness of our relationship is equally reflected in the warmth of the exchanges between our two leaders,” Kunene said.
He conveyed His Majesty’s appreciation for the invitation to participate in this year’s Double Ten National Day celebrations.
Kunene had also presented his letters of credence to Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung a week earlier during a meeting at the ministry.
The presentation marked another step in strengthening diplomatic engagement between Eswatini and Taiwan, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
President Lai welcomed Kunene and said the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini had stood the test of time despite changes in the international landscape.
He said Taiwan would continue working with Eswatini on projects such as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park, while expanding cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, education, trade and technology.
“I am pleased to receive Ambassador Vulindlela Kunene’s credentials as he begins his post. I am confident that together we will take the Taiwan-Eswatini partnership, now 58 years strong, to even greater heights, from industry and talent development to trade, tech and beyond,” Lai said.
The president also said he was looking forward to His Majesty King Mswati III’s visit to Taiwan.
