TANZANIA wishes to strengthen ties with the United Nations, in collaboration for sustainable development, peacekeeping and human rights that aligns to national and continental frameworks

Dr Stergomena Tax, the Defense and National Service minister, expressed this commitment in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the flag raising ceremony to mark the 79th anniversary of UN founding, themed ’Prosperity of the future generations: Driving sustainable growth in Tanzania.’

The commemoration serves as a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the core principles upon which the organization was established, reinforcing the commitment to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), she said, noting that it highlights the ongoing dedication to the pursuit of global progress on that framework.

“As we mark this occasion, Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to cooperating with the UN to drive sustainable growth, eradicate poverty and promote social progress. Together, we stand dedicated to building a more inclusive and prosperous future for all," the minister declared.

“This year’s theme is truly commendable as it not only aligns with the urgency of achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030 but it also resonates with Tanzania's Development Vision 2025,” she asserted.

She pointed at the active engagement of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in advancing clean energy initiatives, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Similarly, dedication to expanding access to renewable energy not only supports the UN's agenda but also drives progress toward a greener and more prosperous future for all, she remarked, expressing appreciation for UN u   peacekeeping efforts and its operation under challenging conditions to promote peace, protecting vulnerable populations.

Mark Schreiner, the acting UN resident coordinator, said as the world commemorates the day, Tanzania and others in Global South and other activists remember the maxim reiterated by the late President Julius Nyerere, insisting that true development must actively involve the people.

Development should not be dictated from the top down; instead, it must emerge from the genuine needs and aspirations of the people themselves, ensuring that individuals actively participate in the process, empowering them to play a vital role in shaping their own future, he said.

He referred to remarks by UN Secretary General António Guterres for the commemoration, articulating the view that hope alone is not sufficient to address the world's pressing challenges. ‘While hope can inspire action and resilience, it must be accompanied by concrete measures and commitments to effect real change,’ the envoy underlined.

Ibrahim Bakari, the UN Associations of Tanzania (UNAT) executive director, hailed the government’s collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) on various initiatives aimed at promoting social development, enhancing public service delivery and fostering community engagement.

The Summit of the Future held on September 22 and 23 at the UN headquarters in New York helped to indicate how to strengthen multilateral cooperation on issues like the climate change and health crises. It also shaped ways of increasing support for achieving SDGs and funding advocacy for climate resilience projects, he added.