European Union and the Kingdom of Lesotho put partnerships into motion at the Annual Partnership Dialogue

The Kingdom of Lesotho and the European Union (EU) convene the Annual Partnership Dialogue today, the 21^stof May 2026, reaffirming a 50-year-old partnership built on democracy, human rights, and green, sustainable development. The dialogue will focus on shared priorities in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and constructive engagement, turning challenges into opportunities, ideas into action, and shared ambitions into tangible progress for the people of Lesotho.

The Lesotho-EU Partnership Dialogue, held as a centrepiece of Europe Month 2026, is co-chaired by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Tau, and H.E.EUAmbassador Mette Sunnergren. The Annual Partnership Dialogue brings together members of His Majesty's Cabinet and senior officials on the Lesotho side as well as Ambassadors and diplomats of EU Member States under the leadership of EU Ambassador Mette Sunnergren.

A press briefing precedes the Dialogue offering insight into the partnership and what it continues to deliver for the people of Lesotho.

"The European Union Delegation to Lesotho wishes to assure all our partners and the people of the Kingdom in the Sky that we are staying in Lesotho and remain firmly committed to supporting Lesotho's sustainable development," says H.E. EU Ambassador Mette Sunnergren. "Our partnership with the Kingdom of Lesotho will continue, and our collaborative programmes and initiatives will proceed in close cooperation with regional and national partners. We reaffirm our steadfast and unwavering commitment to the people of Lesotho and the Government of Lesotho", she adds.

"The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho welcomes the assurances provided by the European Union that its Delegation will remain in Lesotho and that its longstanding partnership with the Kingdom remains steadfast. As reaffirmed by H.E. EU Ambassador Mette Sunnergren, the European Union remains firmly committed to supporting Lesotho's sustainable development, and cooperation programmes and joint initiatives will continue in close collaboration with both national and regional partners", says Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Tau. "The Government further notes the EU's assurance that the ongoing restructuring process is intended to rationalise its mission network and will not negatively affect the level or delivery of development cooperation to Lesotho. The European Union has also indicated that the transition process will be undertaken smoothly, with due consideration and appropriate support for affected local staff members", he adds.

Moving Forward Together: High-Level Momentum and European Engagement

Reinforcing this commitment, Ms. Carolina Cordeiro, Head of Division for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean at the European External Action Service (EEAS), undertakes a visit to Lesotho, engaging with Government Ministers, civil society leaders, youth representatives, and local communities to further solidify this dynamic partnership.

The momentum for this strengthened cooperation was set last week, when the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Benelux and the EU hosted a high-level EEAS delegation in Brussels on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Led by Lesotho's Ambassador H.E. Mantoetsi Mohatonyane, the discussions with Ms. Cordeiro reaffirmed the EU's dedication to Lesotho, clarifying that its diplomatic modernisation will boost technical support and drive sustainable impact for the people of Lesotho. Ambassador Mohatonyane highlighted Lesotho's vision for youth empowerment, proposing innovative ways to harness the nation's water resources for agricultural growth and graduate skills development. With Ms. Cordeiro's visit, this engagement marks a step toward a future-focused, investment-driven partnership, where dialogue translates into real progress for Lesotho's development.

This future-focused momentum builds on a rich history. Since 1976, the EU-Lesotho relationship has evolved from traditional development aid into a robust partnership spanning dialogue, trade, climate action, and social development.

"In a fractured world, Lesotho and the EU stand for the same ideals: democracy, justice, and a future where no one is left behind," says H.E. EU Ambassador Mette Sunnergren. "Europe Day offered us a moment to reflect on the enduring value of cooperation in building peace, stability, and prosperity. Seventy-six years after the Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for European integration, its core message remains relevant: that common challenges are best addressed through dialogue, solidarity, and shared responsibility. Those same principles continue to guide the European Union's engagement with Lesotho", she adds. "Fifty years on, the partnership between the European Union and Lesotho is stronger. It has grown, evolved, and deepened, but its core remains unchanged: a belief that when we stand together, we build a future worth fighting for", she continues.

Echoing this sentiment Honourable Minister Limpho Taunotes, "Fifty years ago, when this partnership began, the world was divided, but the hope for cooperation was strong. Today, the world is fractured, and that hope must be stronger still. Let us use today's Dialogue to be honest about the challenges - the shrinking Development footprint, the price of fertiliser, the fuel crisis. But let us also reaffirm that the bond between the Mountain Kingdom and the European Union is built on a foundation stronger than any one building or any one budget line. It is built on the principle that even in a turbulent sea, a small boat and a large ship can navigate together, provided they maintain a steady course of respect and shared interest."

The Lesotho-EU Partnership Dialogue and Europe Month 2026

The Annual Dialogue sits at the heart of Europe Month 2026, a month-long series of events and activities launched to showcase how collaborative efforts are transforming challenges into opportunities across the country.

The month kicked off with the EU Structured Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations. The opening celebrations also included a lunch honouring the selection of Lesotho youth Mokhali F. Shale as one of just 25 global leaders for the 2026-2028 EU Global Youth Sounding Board, placing a young Mosotho voice at the heart of the EU's global work.

With one of the youngest populations in the world, Lesotho's future depends on expanding such youth opportunities. Mokhali's selection builds directly on the Lesotho Youth Power Hub, launched in 2024 in partnership with UNICEF and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to empower grassroots youth organisations. In the same vein, the Erasmus+ programme continues to enable more Basotho students to study in Europe. Locally, academic partnerships are bearing fruit: the Master of Science in Integrated Catchment and Water Resources Management, developed at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) with support from the EU and Germany through ReNOKA, graduated its first cohort in October 2025.

Building a green and resilient economy

Lesotho possesses immense potential for renewable energy, including solar, wind and hydropower. Through initiatives such as Renewable Lesotho, under the EU's Global Gateway strategy, significant strides are being made. "In 2025 alone the programme facilitated the connection of 564 new households to clean electricity, benefiting over 2,076 people, including schools and health centres in some of the most remote areas of the country," notes Ambassador Sunnergren.

Momentum continues with the Second Lesotho Energy Access Dialogue (LEAD) Conference 2026, taking place from 19 to 20 May 2026 at the 'Manthabiseng Convention Centre. Organised by the EU's GET.pro and GET.invest programmes as well as the NUL's Energy Research Centre under the theme 'Moving from Commitments to Action', the event focuses on accelerating renewable energy generation, related access to finance, deployment and rural electricity access. It also offers a platform for business to business matchmaking in the field of renewable energy. To close the week, some of the delegates will visit the Hirundo Wind Farm Project in Mohale's Hoek on 22 May 2026.

Safeguarding water security

Water security remains a critical pillar of Lesotho-EU cooperation. Lesotho's highland streams feed into the Orange-Senqu River Basin, earning the country its reputation as the "water tower of Southern Africa". The Metsi a Lesotho programme, with support from the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and UNICEF, improves water access, sanitation and catchment management for 250 rural communities, 125 schools and 15 clinics.

Justice, governance and public accountability

The partnership continuously works to promote good governance, protect human rights, and strengthen democratic institutions. A significant step forward occurs on 27 May 2026 with the official launch of the new Legal Aid Office in Qacha's Nek by the Ministry of Law and Justice. Established under the Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme, this initiative will vastly improve access to justice for rural communities, particularly women, children, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), while expanding decentralised court hearings.

Simultaneously, the EU supports efforts to strengthen public financial management, implement the 2023 Public Procurement Act, with over 1,000 stakeholders trained, and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation. Furthermore, from 26 to 29 May 2026, key electoral stakeholders will gather in Maseru for BRIDGE Training on Political and Campaign Finance, organised by UNDP under the Inclusive Lesotho programme.

Trade, Investment, and Economic Growth

The SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) celebrates its 10^th anniversary on 10 June 2026, having successfully provided Lesotho with duty-free and quota-free access to European markets. To mark this, a specialised EPA Training for Media and Academia is scheduled to take place.

Partnership in Motion

Throughout Europe Month 2026, these diverse activities reflect the sheer breadth and depth of EU-funded initiatives cutting across Maseru, Leribe, Mohale's Hoek, Qacha's Nek, and Mafeteng. Each project tells a story of partnership in action, of shared challenges met with shared solutions, and of a 50-year commitment that continuously goes beyond rhetoric to deliver real, lasting change for the Basotho people.

For more information and for updates, visit us on our website https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/lesotho_en and follow us on our social media channels: Facebook @EUinLesotho, LinkedIn and X (former Twitter) @EUinLesotho.

And the Foreign Affairs and International Relations website on : https://foreignaffairs.gov.ls/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mofairlesotho and X account: @ForeignLesotho