THE United Nations in Tanzania has underscored the importance of adhering to human rights and social justice as it strategises its engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) towards the Summit of the Future 2024 in September.

According to the UN, the Summit of the Future 2024 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance. It will reaffirm existing commitments, including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system better positioned to impact people’s lives positively.

Shabnam Mallick, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, said this in Dar es Salaam at the weekend during discussion at a meeting dubbed ‘High level Multi Stakeholder consultation towards Summit of the Future: Stakeholders Solutions for better Tomorrow and Safeguarding the Future’.

She said as they prepare for the summit scheduled for September 22nd and 23rd this year, it was time to recommit, deepen partnership, listen, support and work with civil society in building a brighter, shared vision and a common future for all.

“The promotion and protection of human rights remain at the core of the United Nations' mission. Civil society plays an important role in defending these rights, advocating for those who are most vulnerable and holding institutions accountable. Your work in this area will be essential in shaping policies that are grounded in justice and equity,” she said.

“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires innovative approaches and strong partnerships. We need to continue building on the progress made and address the gaps that remain, particularly in areas such as climate action, poverty reduction and gender equality. Your grassroots initiatives provide invaluable insights and solutions that must be integrated into global strategies.

“We must continue to work together to ensure that governance at all levels is inclusive and participatory. This involves not only engaging diverse voices but also ensuring that those voices have a meaningful impact on decision-making processes. Your role in advocating for transparency, accountability and inclusivity is more critical than ever.”

Ibrahim Bakari, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of Tanzania (UNAT), quoting the late Julius Nyerere’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1994, said that development should be people-centred as they are the target, creators and beneficiaries of anything known as development.

“People cannot be developed by others; but they can develop themselves. But external forces can prevent them from developing themselves. Among those forces are wars and conflicts, and ither external forces which can occur locally or abroad, and can be military or economic power.”

Joseph Malekia, Senior Economist in the President’s Office (Planning Commission) underscored the transformative role of CSOs in Tanzania’s development.

He lauded their unwavering commitment to community engagement, which is vital for building a more inclusive and equitable future

“The Summit of the Future is a call to action. It urges us to forge new partnerships, innovate our approaches and ensure that no one is left behind. In this endeavour, the voices of civil society must lead the way, guiding the global community towards a future that is inclusive, just, and sustainable,” he said.

Regional consultation meeting was held in May this year in Nairobi, Kenya where a diverse group of civil society representatives from across the region came together, providing an open platform for dialogue where CSOs shared their insights, challenges and recommendations on issues ranging from climate action to social justice.