By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Mancoba Khumalo,the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade says the upcoming Japan World Expo must be utilized the United Nations(UN) Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) Agenda 2030.

The Minister was speaking on Tuesday when launching eSwatini for the World Expo to take place in Osaka commencing next week.

EIPA Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Sibani Mngometulu and other officials from the Eswatini Investment and Promotion Authority were present during the launch.

“The theme for Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” and seeks to stimulate critical thinking on how individuals want to live and how they can maximize their potential. The event is seen as the Expo of SDGs, as it is taking place five years before 2030, which is the target year for the SDGs. It will offer an opportunity to confirm progress to achieve the SDGs and accelerate the efforts by the year 2030 and what happens post 2030.In line with Expo 2025 theme to “Design a Future Society of Our lives”, a future society that Eswatini sees and will promote at Expo 2025, is one that does not dilute or erode our cultural heritage, traditions, our originality,” said the Minister as quoted by Government online platforms.

On another note, the Commerce Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining culture and traditions to enhance peace and stability.

“As emaSwati we have witnessed first-hand that maintaining your culture and traditions, led to the peace and stability that the country has enjoyed over many decades and has been the catalyst that has driven our economy, making Eswatini preferred destination for investment, for tourism etc. Our message therefore, is for a brighter future, we should still ensure that we maintain our originality, maintain cultural heritage and traditions,” he said.