Held at the King Jada Hotel in Dar es Salaam, the Pre-COP 30 meeting is a crucial part of the preparatory process for the 30th United Nations International Conference on Climate Change (COP 30). Its goal is to unite stakeholders from diverse sectors to discuss strategies and proposals that will allow Africa to present a strong, unified front. Through this national dialogue, Tanzania had the opportunity to assess its successes and challenges in implementing the Paris Agreement and its national plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. These discussions laid a solid foundation for strengthening collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and international institutions.
Among the participants was Ms. Sarah Pima, the Executive Director of the Human Dignity and Environmental Care Foundation (HUDEFO). Ms. Pima articulated the critical importance of climate justice, gender inclusion, and sustainable development as three fundamental pillars for genuine transformation. Speaking as the Principal Coordinator for Gender and Youth in the African Dialogue Group, she emphasized that climate change cannot be effectively addressed without recognizing gender disparities and its disproportionate impact on women and youth, who often bear the heaviest burden of environmental degradation.
Addressing the assembly of environmental stakeholders and
government representatives, Ms. Pima explained that climate justice entails the
equitable distribution of both the burdens and benefits of international
climate actions. She clarified that developed nations must take greater
responsibility for reducing emissions and supporting developing countries like
Tanzania in building resilience to climate impacts. She advocated for gender
balance in policy planning, stressing that women and youth must be at the core
of decision-making processes, not merely recipients of the outcomes.
However, Prof. Peter Msoffe, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Environment) in the Vice President's Office, stated that these preliminary meetings will help clarify the country's position ahead of COP 30: "We have 14 key issues that we intend to present as Tanzania's stance on various matters. As we progress towards this conference, we have analyzed the country's position and incorporated stakeholder input to refine it."
The event was also attended by representatives from the Vice President's Office (Division of Environment and Union Matters), who reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening the implementation of national climate policies. They expressed that through partnerships with development stakeholders, Tanzania can enhance public awareness, bolster climate resilience systems, and reduce dependence on environmentally damaging sectors. This meeting set the stage for developing a cohesive national agenda for COP 30.
For CAN Tanzania, this meeting represented a success in its long-standing efforts to build robust networks for climate policy dialogue. By collaborating with partners like HUDEFO, CAN Tanzania has used these platforms to connect activists, experts, and policymakers to discuss climate justice policies. This served as a prime example of how civil society organizations can support governments in shaping national agendas that align with international strategies.
Funding from UK International Development and the Swiss Embassy was instrumental in the successful execution of the meeting, ensuring that every discussion yielded productive outcomes. This international partnership underscores the importance of global solidarity in achieving sustainable development goals and safeguarding human dignity.
Key discussion topics included community empowerment and engagement through environmentally friendly technology, enhancing economic resilience, and fostering youth innovation in the clean energy sector. Participants emphasized the importance of local research and institutional collaboration to create solutions that address the real needs of Tanzanians. This demonstrated how the Pre-COP 30 was more than a preparatory meeting; it was a platform for collaboration and innovation.
Ms. Sarah Pima also used the opportunity to remind stakeholders of their social responsibility in protecting the environment. She stated that national climate actions will not succeed without community support. Therefore, investment in climate education for children, youth, women, and community leaders is essential to build a generation that understands the value of sustainability. This message was widely supported by many attendees, particularly from the youth and women's organizations present.
As policy discussions continued, participants assessed the progress made in implementing Tanzania's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Key points focused on enhancing transparency in data collection, fostering private sector collaboration, and monitoring the execution of green projects. This was a critical step in ensuring Tanzania arrives in Brazil with evidence-based arguments grounded in scientific and social reality.
The Director of CAN Tanzania, Dr. Sixbert Mwanga, stated that the meeting enabled stakeholders to outline national priorities, including promoting alternative energy, sustainable agriculture, and water resource management. The goal is to ensure Tanzania's participation in COP30 is strategic, building a case that highlights Africa's real environmental challenges. In this way, the Pre-COP 30 serves as a bridge between national discourse and international negotiations.
Tanzania, through the Vice President's Office, pledged to continue using such platforms to strengthen its representation at UN conferences. It emphasized the vital importance of collaboration between the government and civil society organizations like HUDEFO and CAN Tanzania in successfully implementing national climate strategies. This confirms that the Pre-COP 30 meeting was not a routine event, but a strategic step towards tangible action.
Meeting participants put forward crucial recommendations on
how Tanzania can leverage COP30 as an opportunity to amplify Africa's influence
in global discussions. They recommended strengthening the voices of youth and
women in international forums, alongside domestic investment in innovative,
environmentally friendly technologies.
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