Tanzania position at COP28

Dar es Salaam. Climate financing in considering the effects of climate change, a joint fund for loss and damages, the use of clean and integrated energy and gender debate that gives priority to women have been mentioned as the country’s positions in COP 28.

The position have been mentioned when Tanzania and other countries are participating in the 28th Conference of Member States of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC – COP28) which started on November 30 and is expected to end on December 12, 2023.

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan and various stakeholders from the country will participate in the ongoing meeting in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where it will be attended by more than 70,000 participants from about 190 countries.

A statement issued  by the statehouse communications department clarified that, “Tanzania supports the argument of increasing the climate financing by focusing on the effects that are increasing now and ensuring the commitment of developed countries to provide 100 billion dollars (Sh250 trillion) every year to developing countries to deal with and climate change are being met”.

The statement also noted that “Ensure that the meeting approves the establishment of a fund to fight disasters and calamities, Ensure efforts towards the use of clean energy are inclusive and the discussion of gender issues takes into account national and social values and women are given priority”.

Other key issues in the meeting

The theme of the meeting is “UNITE. ACT. DELIVER” while the National theme is “Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture and the Blue Economy resilient with Climate Change”.

The statehouse statement said that the aim of the theme is to emphasize the use of technology and best practices that take into account the challenges of climate change, in order to increase productivity in production, the value chain of crops and markets.

Heads of State and Government members of the UNFCCC will address the Conference today, where President Samia will be the 11th speaker among the approximately 160 Heads of State and Government participating in the Conference.

In parallel with addressing the Conference, Tanzania has organized and will host three High-Level Side Events on Clean Cooking Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, and the Blue Economy.

In the Conference on clean cooking energy, the Honorable President will lead fellow leaders from various countries around the world and international institutions to launch the African Women Clean Cooking Support Program (AWCCSP).

The program aims to encourage the use of clean energy for cooking to deal with health, environmental, economic and social challenges that mostly affect women and children. Due to the fact that women spend a long time looking for firewood, this program will help them get enough time to participate in development activities.

Likewise, the President will participate in bilateral meetings with government leaders of various countries as well as international organizations with the aim of strengthening relations between Tanzania and those countries as well as relevant organizations.

Signing four agreements

The President will witness the signing of four agreements between Tanzania and the Government of the United Arab Emirates regarding employment; cooperation between the International Relations Center of Dr Salim Ahmed Salim and the College of Diplomacy of Dr Anwar Gargash of the United Arab Emirates; cooperation in matters of security and the fight against terrorism; and cooperation in the education, science and technical sectors.

In the meeting, the Tanzanian Delegation will involve Ministers, Secretaries General, Ambassadors, Leaders and Professionals from Sectoral Ministries, Government Departments, Public Organizations, Universities, Private Sector, Civil Organizations, Youth and Journalists from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

This story was produced with support from MESHA and IDRC Eastern and Southern Africa office.