Tanzania learns the importance of investing in land, its management at UN COP 17 Conference
ULAAN BAATAR: TANZANIA is participating in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with a focus on securing technology, expertise and financial resources to address land degradation in the country.
The conference was officially opened today, August 24, 2026, by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, who stressed the importance of investing in land restoration, addressing the impacts of drought and strengthening the sustainable management of grazing lands.
Speaking on Tanzania’s participation in the conference, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said Tanzania intends to use the platform to access technology, experience, partnerships and financial resources that will support the restoration of degraded land and strengthen the resilience of farmers and pastoralists.
Eng Masauni said land degradation in Tanzania is largely driven by deforestation, agricultural expansion, uncontrolled bush fires, soil erosion and unsustainable land-use practices.
“Tanzania’s participation in COP17 provides an opportunity to access experience, technology, partnerships and financial resources that will help strengthen sustainable rangeland management and restore degraded areas,” he said.
He said efforts to address land degradation require collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, international institutions and the private sector, to ensure that land resources are used productively without compromising the environment.
Meanwhile, UNCCD Tanzania Liaison Officer Thimoth Mande said Tanzania is using the conference to showcase measures being implemented to address land degradation while seeking additional investment opportunities from international institutions, the private sector and innovative financing mechanisms.
He said such investment is critical to strengthening Tanzania’s capacity to implement land restoration projects and address challenges associated with drought and climate change.
For her part, National Environment Management Council (NEMC) Southern Eastern Zone Manager, Aminata Kirama, said the council has a responsibility to intervene in areas identified as requiring urgent environmental action.
She said NEMC continues to use research and scientific evidence to understand the challenges driving environmental degradation and identify effective measures to address them.
UNCCD COP17 brings together stakeholders from around the world to discuss measures to combat desertification, drought and land degradation, as well as promote the sustainable management of land resources.
