Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones

EU Ambassador to Eswatini

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h doing a live interview @EswatiniTV Kusile Breakfast Show on 16 June 2021. The Ambassador spoke about her imminent departure from Eswatini marking the end of her 4-year mission to the country. She leaves at the end of July 2021.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

The European Union fully supports the creation of a State-Business Relations Forum in Eswatini that will help facilitate continuous engagement between the government and the private sector. The workshop on this forum is taking place on 10 -11 June 2021 & was launched on 09 June.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem collapse are the biggest challenges facing humanity today, said EU Ambassador to Eswatini @aragones_h during the Eswatini Biodiversity Day held at Mantenga Nature reserve on 21 May 2021. Two Ministers and 4 Ambassadors also attended this event.

[Eswatini Government @EswatiniGovern1]

Acting Minister of Education Harries Bulunga has this morning received 1250 facemasks worth E30 000 from the European Union. The facemasks will be distributed to learners across the country's schools.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

@EUinEswatini has presented a total of 1 250 face masks to the Ministry of Education & Training to help needy schools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Acting Minister of Education Harris Madze Bulunga received the face masks from EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

Human Rights defenders play a crucial role in promoting and upholding human rights for all. EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h said this on 18 May at Esibayeni Lodge where she officially opened a 4-day training of trainers on human rights funded by EU & organised by @CANGO3 .

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

@EUinEswatini will continue to support and advocate for the rights of the LGBTIQ community in Eswatini. EU Ambassador to Eswatini @aragones_h said this on 17 May 2021 during the commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT) @ Ezulwini.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

EU Ambassador @aragones_h has commended Eswatini journalists for their role in information dissemination despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This was on 04 May during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2021 held at Mountain Inn in Mbabane organised by Eswatini Editors Forum.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

The EU has provided E108 million to help support the implementation of the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) in Eswatini. On 29 April, EU Ambassador @aragones_h signed the Financing Agreement with Trade Minister, Manqoba Khumalo and Economic Plannining Minister, Dr Tambo Gina.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

Women & youth empowerment is vital if Eswatini is to achieve economic development goals, said EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h on 20 April & Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha when she presented financial awards to upcoming entrepreneurs who have emerged from an EU-funded project.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

Women play a very crucial role in supporting their households and communities, says EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h. She was speaking on 26 March 2021 through EU Delegation officer, Noemi Szokol, during the commemoration of the International Women's Day held in Matsapha.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

At the launch of the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy & Action Plan. EU Ambassador to Eswatini @aragones_h launched this strategy on 29 March 2021 along with the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Trade who represented the Minister.

[Eswatini Government @EswatiniGovern1]

Frazium Energy Director Robert Fraser: “A hot water station is a standalone fully self-contained unit that produces hot water. It will produce hot water for decades without incurring any operating costs. We did this project to help the country combat #COVID19."

[Eswatini Government @EswatiniGovern1]

EU Ambassador Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones: “The Hot Water Units installed nationwide will not only transform hand-washing & hygiene for 10 000 people per day but is evidence how renewable technologies can deliver safe & effective sanitation across Southern Africa.”

[Eswatini Government @EswatiniGovern1]

Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku has officially received a HotWater Stations projects implemented with support from the German Government & Frazium Energy. The project has seen 92 solar powered hot water stations put up in all Government clinics in Eswatini.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

On 19 March 2021, EU Ambassador to Eswatini, @aragones_h attended the launch of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The event held in Mbabane also saw the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, publicly taking the AstraZeneca vaccine and encouraging all Emaswati to do so.

[Eswatini Government @EswatiniGovern1]

The Kingdom of Eswatini has received its first batch of COVID19 vaccines from the global COVAX facility. The batch is made up of 12 000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine & brings the total number of doses received by the country so far to 32 000.

[European External Action Service - EEAS 🇪🇺 @eu_eeas]

We will not be safe until everyone is safe.

🇪🇺 will continue supporting @gavi and #Covax
to make sure all countries have access to #SafeVaccines.

#TeamEurope is committed to end the #COVID19 pandemic.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

On 10 December, @EUinEswatini & @EswatiniGovern1 engaged in a programming exercise aimed at identifying priority areas for development that will benefit from the next EU Funding Cycle for the period 2021 - 2027. This well attended event took place at Esibayeni Lodge, Matsapha.

[EU in Eswatini @EUinEswatini]

"Me Too: Break the Silence on Violence Against Women and Children", a project funded by the European Union, came to an end on 11 December 2020. An event was organised in Manzini to mark the end of the project implemented by the Foundation for Economic Justice and other partners.