National Policies and Action PlansThe Swaziland Environmental Action Plan (SEAP), 1997The Swaziland Environmental Action Plan (SEAP), 1997
Volume 1 The SEAP Volume 2 - Policy and Strategy Framework SEAP - Policy, Legal and Institutional Working Group Report SEAP - Human Settlements, Urbanisation and Environmental Health Working Group Report Development and Implementation of the Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP) The Swaziland National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2000The Swaziland National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2000 - Swaziland, despite its small size, supports a diverse assemblage of habitats which are home to a wide range of organisms. Although the information base on Swaziland’s biodiversity is still incomplete, survey work has shown that a significant portion of southern Africa’s plant and animal species occur here. The eastern region of Swaziland, for example, forms part of the Maputaland Centre of Plant Diversity (one of the World’s "hotspots" of floral, as well as faunal, species richness and endemism), while the western region falls within another area of global significance, the Drakensberg Escarpment Endemic Bird Area. The value of Swaziland’s biodiversity has long been recognised by Swazis who make use of it on a daily basis for various reasons including: traditional medicine, food, building material, traditional attire. Traditional systems of conserving biodiversity also exist but have not been documented and are currently being eroded. A Survey of Information on the Zoological Biodiversity of Swaziland - This paper reviews the current knowledge on the faunal biodiversity of Swaziland. Swaziland's First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2002Swaziland's First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - Swaziland was amongst the 150 nations that signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change during the convening of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. The country subsequently ratified the Convention, becoming Party to it in 1996. The Convention process was the culmination of international concern on the global increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mainly due to human activities since the industrial revolution. In compiling her National Communication, Swaziland seeks to comply with provisions of Articles 4 and 12 of the Convention which enumerate commitments and implementation issues. In the country’s willingness to contribute to the protection of the climate system it's intervention is to follow after the Convention's guiding principles, namely the consideration of Swaziland as a developing country Party with special circumstances, the extent of its capabilities, regards for the common but differentiated responsibilities, and equity. National Environmental Health Policy, 2002The National Health Policy, 2002 - The National Health Policy was developed by the Ministry of Health and approved by Government in July 1983 with commitment to the World Health Organization goal of "Health for All" by the year 2000. The main objective is to improve the health status of the Swazi people by providing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative health services which are relevant, socially acceptable, affordable and accessible to all. The strategy to achieve this goal is to mobilize All for Health in the development of a comprehensive Primary Health Care system. The National Housing Policy, 2001The National Housing Policy, 2001 - Swaziland faces pressing challenges in its human settlements as a result of a past rapid population growth (the rate of population increase has slowed due to HIV/AIDS), continuing rapid urbanisation, deepening poverty and limited resources to manage urban growth and deliver services. Government's response to these challenges has been to focus on policy regulation and institutional development and investment programs. The policy vision underlying this housing policy is that 'all Swazi households should have access to affordable shelter and services'. The National Energy Policy, 2002The National Energy Policy, 2002 - The Swaziland National Energy Policy has been developed to address the challenges of the transformation of the energy sector and the overall development of the country. It has been formulated through extensive stakeholder consultation at all levels and sectors throughout society. Based on this stakeholder consultation and the aspirations of Government, a vision of the National Energy Policy has been formulated as: Ensuring that the development goals of the country are met through the sustainable supply and use of energy for the benefit of all the citizens of the country. The Rural Resettlement Policy, 2003The Rural Resettlement Policy, 2003 - Arable land is disappearing rapidly, even as the communities that depend on it for their livelihoods are growing at an accelerating rate. Soil erosion, haphazard location of non-agricultural activities, outdated grazing practices, expanding population and the changing needs and nature of rural society – all these factors pose tremendous challenges to Swaziland’s pursuit of sustainable development and food security. To meet these challenges requires a new vision, a new commitment and a new strategy. This Policy is an effort to define that vision, to mobilise the needed commitment, and to establish a sensible, effective strategic framework for sustainable land management and resettlement. Central to the vision of this Policy is the word "resettlement." Resettlement has had varied meanings in Swaziland. Historically, it has often referred to efforts to re-arrange land uses within rural communities. The emphasis has been on correcting or preventing the often haphazard allocation of land to homesteads, cropping and grazing, so that arable land is not wasted, erosion is minimised and service provision is facilitated. This understanding of the word "resettlement" remains very strong today in rural Swaziland, and is the main focus of this Policy. The draft Peri-Urban Growth PolicyThe draft Peri-Urban Growth Policy, 1997 - The key to managing the urbanisation process has been identified as institutionalising a participatory, evolutionary approach towards urban status and individuation of tenure. It is recommended that the process be managed through a two level hierarchy - a Peri-Urban Authority (PUA) at the government level, and Community Development Associations (CDAs) at the community level. The former is to provide integrated management of the process, including the master plans for settlements, arrangement of financing options and technical support for the formation and continuing development of the CDAs. The CDAs themselves are to manage the process of growth of the settlements, and provide incremental means of:
This process will require the clear definition of what property and management rights are held by which party at which stage, and a means for their transfer over time by mutual agreement. The draft National Land Policy, 1999The Draft National Land Policy is a discussion document on the issues and policies surrounding the question of land management in Swaziland. The policy covers:
The Tourism Policy, 2000The Vision of the Tourism Policy, 2000 is to develop the tourism sector as a national priority in a sustainable and acceptable manner, taking full advantage of regional and international trends and developments so that it will significantly contribute to the continued improvement of quality of life in the Kingdom of Swaziland whilst promoting the country's cultural and natural heritage. The Forest Policy, 2002The National Forest Policy, 2002 - The need for a national forest policy for Swaziland is two fold, firstly because of the absence of an integrated and comprehensive forest policy and legislative framework to regulate forestry development and secondly because of the problems of deforestation and environment degradation as faced by the country. It is hoped that the guiding principles and instruments enshrined in the National Forest Policy will help in solving the socio-economic and environmental problems listed above through the application and achievement of sustainable management and development of the national forest resources. See also the Forest Policy White Paper and Forest Policy Green Paper. The draft National Environment Policy, 2000The draft National Environment Policy, 2000, which is being piloted by the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Communications, builds on the analysis and recommendations contained in the SEAP and represent the next step in promoting sound environmental management across all areas of decision making. The policy focuses on the general principles and approaches, which should be adopted by any part of government, traditional structure, and organisation and individual in undertaking any activity, which may affect the environment. The policy will play a key role in integrating a range of policies into a comprehensive national policy framework designed to achieve equity-led growth and sustainable development in Swaziland. The policy also embraces the regional and global environmental responsibilities that Swaziland has undertaken as a party to various multilateral environment agreements.goal is to promote the enhancement, protection and conservation of the environment to the attainment of sustainable development in Swaziland. The draft National Disaster Management Policy, 1999Disasters have always affected Swaziland sporadically. Since the early 1980s disasters have apparently occurred more frequently, indicating perhaps a trend for the future. In Swaziland, there is an apparent increase in disaster events associated with natural hazards such as drought, cyclones and strong storms. However a closer analysis reveals the potential for other hazards to cause disasters in future. The objectives of the policy (Nov 1999) are: " To save lives, enhance livelihood and reduce damage to property and infrastructure. " To foster a culture of disaster prevention through sustainable development focussing on the reduction of poverty and vulnerability in communities, and to build the capacity and resilience at national, regional and local levels to withstand the impacts of future disasters. " To promote self reliance at national and community levels and to facilitate the participation and involvement of local communities in devising and implementing strategies for effective vulnerability reduction. " To provide a framework for sustainable, integrated, holistic and multi-sectoral disaster management. " To ensure effective, efficient and timely assistance to people affected by disasters, and that disaster response and relief efforts support long term development and vulnerability reduction strategies. " To develop an effective information and early warning system and to promote public awareness and education through training and other capacity building programmes. " To ensure the protection of the country's natural resources and the environment. " To deliver disaster management programmes in a gender sensitive way, taking account of the fact that women and children often carry the major burden in times of disasters. " To facilitate regional and international co-operation in disaster management. The National Livestock Development Policy, 1995The National Livestock Development Policy, 1995 aims at achieving self-sufficiency in the livestock sector in the immediate term and at achieving a sustainable livestock industry in the long-term. The National Physical Development Plan 1996-2006The National Physical Development Plan 1996-2006 is an action programme to provide an overall strategic planning framework to guide development and capital infrastructure investment decisions in the country over the next ten year period. The Economic and Social Reform Agenda IIThe Economic and Social Reform Agenda II is the second action plan for building a modern and prosperous Swaziland. The National Development Strategy, 1999The National Development Strategy is a 25 year development plan for Swaziland. The Swaziland Biodiversity Conservation and Participatory Development Project (BCPD)The Swaziland Biodiversity Conservation and Participatory Development Project (BCPD) - The Global Development Objective of the Biodiversity Conservation and Participatory Development (BCPD) project is to encourage and support environmentally, economically and socially sustainable development in the rural areas of Swaziland, based on conservation and wise use of its rich biodiversity resources. The project will develop a programmatic and holistic approach in full partnership with other key stakeholders to meet the goals and objectives of the Swaziland Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP). The Convention to Combat Desertification Swaziland National Action Plan, 2001The Convention to Combat Desertification Swaziland National Action Plan - This report presents the national action plan which details a strategy and programmes aimed at the implementation of the CCD. The First National Report on the Implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification - The Kingdom of Swaziland is seriously affected by land degradation and drought. A number of policies, strategies and programmes were adopted and implemented by government and her partners after realizing the problem, but most of them were not able to address the problems adequately. A Review of the Swaziland National Action Programme to Combat Desertification and a Strategy for Implementation - The CCD NAP drawn up via consultation with stakeholders was seen to difficult to implement due to various constraints. A review of the NAP was undertaken by ECS to explore ways of slimming the NAP down and making it more achievable and donor-friendly. Of the 14 NAP programmes recommended in the original NAP, three priority programme areas were identified that incorporated the majority of the NAP's original programmes. The three priority programmes are:
The National Drylands Development Programme (NDDP) - The NDDP is formulated on the basis of the CCF and through a process of consultation with relevant stakeholders including regional authorities, MOAC, SEA and UNDP staff. The programme is planned to be implemented in the dryland areas of Swaziland. The National Drylands Development programme consists of three broad outcomes to be achieved through the implementation of 24 specific activities with the focus on:
The draft Population Policy, 2003Swaziland is one of the countries in the world with the highest population growth rates which currently stands at 2.8%. This phenomenon has had a negative impact on the economic and environmental development of the country and has necessitated the development of a population policy. A Population Council was established in 1998 utilising a E2.4 million Emalangeni grant from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) which immediately started working on the formulation of a population policy. The council has produced a national agenda which includes sensitisation workshops aimed at awareness creation and formulation of a Population Policy Implementation Action Plan among other things. Sector committees were formed and mandated to write position papers reflecting the views of the organisations they represent, on population issues. A Population Unit which will monitor the implementation of the policy will be established within the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. The Population Policy is still to be finalised. This page was last updated on 18 March 2005 |