Tanzania: Summit of the Future – Tanzania Hypes Clean Cooking

NEW YORK: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa represented President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the opening ceremony of the Summit of the Future as part of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sunday.

This year’s UNGA is a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Tanzania expected to raise awareness about its clean cooking initiative among nations worldwide.

At last year’s UNGA78, Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts to foster global solidarity and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

He called for urgent collective efforts to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing mitigation and adaptation measures.

Dr Mpango highlighted the alarming findings of the latest Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, indicating that the world is off-track to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius limit established in the Paris Agreement–a legally binding international treaty adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) on December 12, 2015.

The 79th UNGA comes at a pivotal moment for Tanzania, which is implementing tangible initiatives for climate restoration, including the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy.

This ten-year plan, launched by President Samia in May, is set to cost 4.6tri/- and aims to increase clean cooking energy usage from the current 10 per cent to 80 per cent by 2034.

Notably, during COP28 in Dubai, President Dr Samia launched the Africa Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP), advocating for clean cooking across the continent.

She emphasised that clean cooking energy is vital for climate change mitigation and inclusive sustainable development in Africa.

At UNGA79, Prime Minister Majaliwa is expected to highlight Tanzania’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment through the adoption of clean cooking practices.

ALSO READ: Tanzania pushes for Microfinance support in clean cooking initiative

He attended the opening ceremony alongside Heads of Government from approximately 193 countries and was scheduled to convey greetings from the Tanzanian government.

The summit’s agenda includes discussions on trade, energy, economic development, the environment and issues concerning youth and children, as well as the impact of climate change.

Before the opening ceremony, Mr Majaliwa met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss cooperation between Tanzania and the UN. They addressed various topics related to defence, security and socio-political development.

In a media briefing after his discussion with Guterres, Mr Majaliwa stated that they focused on improving citizens’ living standards by enhancing the availability of social services.

He also mentioned that Guterres commended Tanzania’s historical role in supporting the liberation of several African nations, particularly those in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“Currently, our country continues to provide security support to several SADC and EAC nations,” Mr Majaliwa noted. He expressed gratitude for Guterres’s acknowledgment of Tanzania’s contributions to peace and security on the continent.

Furthermore, Mr Majaliwa informed the UN Secretary-General about the upcoming local elections in Tanzania, scheduled for November, as well as the general election next year. He assured Guterres of the government’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens can participate in the democratic process.

In promoting regional peace, Guterres praised Tanzania’s efforts in restoring stability in Burundi, particularly its role in receiving refugees during past conflicts. He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing political stability in Burundi and encouraged the repatriation of refugees to their home country.

On the eve of UNGA79, Former Energy and Minerals Minister Professor Sospeter Muhongo, now a Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural, expressed optimism that Tanzania would advance its interests in executing the Clean Cooking Energy Strategy.

“I believe all nations will recognise Tanzania’s tireless efforts to transition to clean cooking, as this transformative strategy is aligned with the global SDGs,” Professor Muhongo told the Daily News.

International Relations Analyst Mr Medard Wilfred, based at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), emphasised that Tanzania’s clean cooking initiatives would attract global attention. He noted that the strategy is essential for protecting the ozone layer from the adverse effects of unclean cooking energy sources like firewood and charcoal.

Mr Wilfred added that the country’s clean cooking initiative aligns with the government’s economic diplomacy, which is crucial for fostering bilateral partnerships with other nations to invest in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The transition to clean cooking energy involves replacing unclean sources like firewood and charcoal with eco-friendly alternatives such as gas and electricity.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania arrests opposition leaders to thwart protest

By REUTERS

Tanzanian police arrested two opposition leaders again on Monday, their party and police said, to stop anti-government protests in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The main opposition party Chadema’s chairman Freeman Mbowe was detained on the street, while his deputy Tundu Lissu was taken from his home amid plans to demonstrate against alleged killings and abductions of government critics.

Rights campaigners say President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government is targeting opponents ahead of local elections in December and a national vote in 2025.

Police said 14 people were arrested including Mbowe and Lissu for defying a prohibition on the protests.

There was no immediate comment from Hassan’s government, though it has previously said it defends democracy and does not tolerate brutality.

Chadema said on social media platform X that Mbowe was arrested in the Magomeni area of the city when he arrived to lead a peaceful protest. A convoy of 11 vehicles picked up Lissu and left without saying where he was going, it added.

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The pair were also briefly arrested, along with hundreds of supporters, last month.

Lissu survived being shot 16 times during an assassination attempt in 2016.

Earlier this month another senior Chema member was abducted from a bus, his body later found with signs he had been beaten and had acid poured on his face.

Read: Ally Kibao, abducted Tanzanian opposition leader found dead

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Tanzania: What to Learn From Tz’s Commitment to Environmental Protection, Climate Action

Mwanza — TANZANIA’S readiness to collaborate with other nations on environmental protection signals hope for global efforts to combat climate change and its social and economic impacts.

Recently, Tanzania participated in an international conference in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on environmental justice, which gathered judges and magistrates from the Commonwealth. This underscores Tanzania’s dedication to addressing global environmental challenges.

The conference, themed “Environmental Rights,” was organised by the Commonwealth in partnership with the Rwandan judiciary.

Participants discussed legal frameworks and institutional approaches to enhance environmental justice and the role of courts in safeguarding these rights.

The event fostered the exchange of experiences and the establishment of lasting professional relationships.

Dr Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania, opened the 24th forum and the 35th meeting of the Permanent Financial Committee of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He emphasised the importance of equity in climate change discussions and highlighted Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to integrate gender considerations into climate policies.

The conference, attended by over 200 delegates from 80 countries, focused on “Accelerating Climate Action through Gender-Based Financing.” It examined how gender-sensitive funds can be utilised to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.

Tanzania has actively encouraged the inclusion of gender issues in its policies, ensuring equal access to economic opportunities for both women and men. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, along with Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), participated in discussions about regional collaboration to combat climate change effects, particularly in the Congo Basin.

The Congo Basin Climate Commission (CBCC), which includes several member countries, aims to strengthen cooperative strategies for environmental protection. Dr Pindi Chana, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, stated that this collaboration is vital for conserving biodiversity and natural resources.

The meeting also highlighted the role of the Congo Basin Blue Fund and the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) in implementing international environmental agreements. Member countries are encouraged to submit projects to ensure effective environmental protection.

Dr Chana noted that as the global population grows, it’s increasingly important for countries to unite and share experiences in international climate discussions. The commission plans to enhance tourism and climate action through various partnerships, including collaborations with NGOs.

Prof Dos Santos Silayo, TFS Conservation Commissioner, emphasised Tanzania’s strategic role in the commission, advocating for cooperation to strengthen forest and wildlife resource sustainability.

Tanzania has also taken significant measures to address ozone layer depletion, preventing 216 tons of harmful chemicals from causing further damage, in line with the Montreal Protocol. Dr Ashatu Kijaji, Minister of State for the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), highlighted ongoing efforts to eliminate these chemicals by 2030.

The impacts of climate change in Tanzania include ozone layer deterioration, which leads to health issues like skin cancer and cataracts, as well as agricultural challenges. Recent El Niño rains have caused severe infrastructure damage, prompting government investment of over 830 billion shillings for repairs.

Tanzania faces challenges such as fatalities from heavy rains and drought-induced famine, underscoring the need for collective action. The national slogan, “Unity is Power,” calls on all Tanzanians and global citizens to engage in efforts to protect our planet from ongoing environmental damage.

Source: allafrica.com

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