13 November 2026:The State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Shama Obaed Islam, MP met the Prime Minister of Eswatini Mr. Russell Dlamini at the Bangladesh Pavillion of COP31 in the Blue Zone on 12 November 2026 on the sidelines of the COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. Honourable Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs of Eswatini, and Dr Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, were also present in the meeting.
During the discussion, the State Minister outlined Bangladesh’s climate priorities including limiting the global temperature rise within 1.5°C, ensuring accessible and predictable grant-based finance, adaptation goals and just transition. She also highlighted the government’s target of generating 20% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040. Eswatini’s Prime Minister lauded Bangladesh’s role in global climate negotiation and mentioned that the two countries share similar climate priorities. They also exchanged views on building a bridge of cooperation from COP31 in Antalya to COP32 in Addis Ababa, to be hosted on the African continent.Jute, Bangladesh’s golden fibre, featured prominently in the discussion.
The State Minister highlighted jute as a renewable, biodegradable alternative to plastics that unites climate action with economic opportunity. She commended Eswatini’s total ban on single-use plastic bags and suggested that jute and jute-based products can serve as an eco-friendly alternative of plastic bags. She invited the Eswatini’s Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh’s jute pavilion at the green zone of COP31 to see the beauty and versatility of jute. She also pointed out the circularity and sustainability initiatives in Bangladesh’s garment industry and urged Eswatini to import more sustainable and affordable garment products from Bangladesh.
Healthcare emerged as a key area for cooperation. The Prime Minister shared Eswatini’s needs in the healthcare sector, and the State Minister affirmed Bangladesh’s strength in pharmaceuticals. Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry exports quality-assured, affordable medicines to more than 150 countries, and she expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to support Eswatini in meeting its healthcare needs.
Both sides reaffirmed the friendly relations between the two countries as fellow members of the Commonwealth and partners in the Global South and agreed on enhancing people-to-people ties, trade and investment, cooperation in various multilateral on issues of mutual interest. The State Minister urged Eswatini for their stronger and continued support for early repatriation of forcefully-displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
At the end of the meeting, the State Minister presented the Prime Minister of Eswatini a excellent jacket made of jute fabrics. The Prime Minister was highly impressed at receiving the gift and greatly appreciated the efforts of the State Minister in promoting jute and jute-based products.