As we approach the 30th
Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, it is fitting to commend
the remarkable progress Tanzania has made both at the national and continental
levels, in shaping a coherent, principled, and ambitious climate agenda. Under
Tanzania’s leadership within the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), we have
witnessed renewed momentum in advancing Africa’s unified position on climate
justice, adaptation, and means of implementation. Warm congratulations to Dr.
Richard Muyungi, chair of the AGN, for guiding this preparation process with dedication
and commitment to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard strongly and effectively
on the global stage.
As part of UNEP’s ongoing
support to Africa’s climate negotiations, “I had the honor of sharing remarks
at the Third Strategic Meeting of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate
Change, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I highlighted that Africa’s
negotiators should approach the global stage not from a position of vulnerability,
but with strength, unity, and ambition. Africa possesses 60% of global solar
potential, vast mineral resource essential for the green transition, and the
youngest, fastest growing workforce in the world. These assets position the
continent to demand fair climate finance, equitable energy transitions and
investment in Africa-led adaptation solutions” said Ms. Clara Makenya, UNEP
Tanzania Representative.
As noted by Eng. Cyprian
Luhemeja, Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, the Africa
package for COP 30 provides a unified blueprint to ensure the continent’s
priorities are effectively reflected in global climate decisions. At the
national level, Tanzania’s preparations for COP30 reflect an impressive degree
of policy coherence and institutional maturity. The country’s negotiating
position does not stand in isolation, it draws deeply from our domestic
frameworks that link climate ambition to inclusive growth, sustainable
livelihoods, and long-term resilience.
Tanzania Development
Vision 2050 (TDV 2050)
Tanzania’s Vision 2050 both place people at the Centre of sustainable transformation. They envision a country driven by knowledge, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship. The COP30 priorities emphasizing a just transition, human capital development, youth empowerment, and gender inclusivity resonate directly with Vision 2050’s aspiration for “a well-educated and learning society” and “a strong, competitive economy.” Furthermore, the focus on climate resilience and adaptation aligns with Vision 2050’s, with one of its three pillars being Environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Tanzania’s Five-Year
Development Plan III (FYDP III, 2021-2026)
FYDP III places climate
action at the heart of national economic transformation. It prioritizes
resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy, all of
which feature prominently in Tanzania’s COP30 position.
The
alignment is clear:
-Scaling up adaptation and resilience
in agriculture, water, and natural resources.
-Accelerating renewable energy
development and technology transfer; and
-Leveraging private-sector investment
in carbon markets and sustainable value chains.
In this way, COP30’s national position reinforces the Plan’s green growth aspirations and positions Tanzania as a regional leader in the climate-development nexus.
National Climate Change Response
Strategy (NCCS 2021-2026)
Tanzania’s stance for
COP30 mirrors the NCCS commitment to strengthen adaptation capacity, advance
technology transfer, and expand access to climate finance. Both emphasize the
empowerment of communities through climate-resilient livelihoods and community-based
adaptation. The country’s focus on the Global Goal on Adaptation, Loss and
Damage, and Just Transition speaks directly to NCCS strategic pillars, placing
equity, human development, and environmental integrity at the centre of climate
action.
Clara Makenya, head of UNEP for Tanzania and focal point for Namibia.Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC 3.0, 2025-2035)
Tanzania’s
updated NDC outlines the nation’s practical commitment to mitigation and
adaptation across key sectors. The COP30 position reiterates these focus areas:
- Renewable energy: hydro, solar, wind,
and geothermal expansion.
- Sustainable transport: Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) systems, electric mobility, and efficient logistics;
- Agriculture and forestry adaptation:
enhancing food security and landscape restoration; and
- Capacity building and finance access:
ensuring implementation readiness and inclusivity.
The strong emphasis on carbon markets (Article 6) and non-market approaches echoes the NDC’s vision of attracting climate-aligned investments that stimulate growth and innovation.
National Environment
Policy (NEP 2021)
The NEP underscores the
interdependence between environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.
Its focus on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable
natural resource use resonates strongly with COP30 priorities. The inclusion of
mountain ecosystems (such as Kilimanjaro) and mangrove restoration in the
national position reflects this coherence. Equally, NEP’s commitment to
equitable participation and benefit sharing is reflected in Tanzania’s advocacy
for Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and the Gender Action Plan, both of
which champion inclusion and justice as cornerstones of effective climate
governance.
Overall, Tanzania’s
progress in shaping a coherent climate agenda, as highlighted in preparations
for COP30, demonstrates the potential for strategic alignment between national
development ambitions and global climate commitments. The country’s policy
coherence spanning the National Development Vision 2050, FYDP III, NCCS, NDC
3.0, NEP 2021, and other sectoral frameworks illustrates how resources can be
optimized when there is deliberate coordination across government, private
sector, and community stakeholders.
To ensure that these
commitments do not remain mere documents, Tanzania must adopt a culture of
deliberate implementation and sustained commitment. Coordinated efforts will
allow for strategic budget allocation, ensuring that financial resources are
directed to high-impact areas such as renewable energy, climate-resilient
agriculture, sustainable transport, and ecosystem restoration. Simultaneously,
joint and strategic resource mobilization including leveraging private-sector
investments, carbon markets, and international climate finance can maximize
efficiency and drive innovation while reducing duplication of efforts.
The alignment of
Tanzania’s national frameworks with COP30 priorities underscores that
integrated planning is more than an administrative exercise: it is a pathway to
transformative development. By ensuring policies alignment across sectors energy,
agriculture, gender and youth, disaster management, research, and finance the
country can accelerate progress towards the SDGs, enhance climate resilience,
and fulfill its long-term development vision.
In conclusion, realizing Tanzania’s development and climate ambitions present a remarkable opportunity to go beyond well-crafted policies and transform vision into impact. It calls for intentional coordination, strategic budgeting, and collective resource mobilization, so that the nation’s climate and development commitments translate into tangible outcomes that improve livelihoods, empower communities, and strengthen Tanzania’s leadership on the global stage. UNEP, as a key partner in Tanzania, is committed to supporting these efforts through our existing avenues of collaboration and engagement.
Edited by John Kabambala.
Clara Makenya, is head of UNEP for Tanzania and
focal point for Namibia.
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