Experts tasked with mobilising climate financing
DAR ES SALAAM: EXPERTS have been urged to develop clear proposals and a common national position ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) to help Tanzania secure 7.3tri/- for environmental and climate change projects.
The call was made in Dar es Salaam by Director of Environment in the Vice-President’s Office, Ms Kemilembe Mutasa, who represented the Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Richard Muyungi, during the opening of an experts’ meeting on Tanzania’s preparations for COP31.
The conference is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20 this year.
Ms Mutasa said the meeting presented an important opportunity for Tanzania to mobilise resources for environmental protection and climate change initiatives, particularly during the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.
She said the Environmental Management Transformation Programme towards Vision 2050 had identified financing requirements of 7.3tri/-.
“Preparations for the conference are our responsibility, and we must ensure that these funds are secured through negotiations at the meeting,” she said.
She urged Tanzanian stakeholders attending COP31 to prioritise the interests of more than 60 million citizens and speak with one voice to strengthen the country’s representation in international climate negotiations.
At COP30, held in Brazil last year, Tanzania chaired the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change, coordinating Africa’s common position on climate financing and implementation of international agreements.
Among the achievements was the establishment of a climate negotiations training centre for young people. The Vice-President’s Office recently coordinated its first training programme in Dar es Salaam from October 20 to 22.
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Meanwhile, Zanzibar Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries Director of Marine Conservation, Dr Makame Omar Makame, said the Isles were vulnerable to climate change, particularly in agriculture and fisheries.
He said Zanzibar would use COP31 to advocate increased financing for environmental conservation and climate resilience projects.
Dr Makame said the funds would support the construction of sea walls to address coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion, as well as public education on climate change.
For his part, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) representative Ghaamid Abdulbasat said the organisation continued to collaborate with the government through the Vice-President’s Office to implement international climate commitments.
He cited the global Restoration Initiative (TRI), which aims to restore natural vegetation across 5.2 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 in the Great Ruaha and Lake Rukwa basins, covering Iringa, Mbeya and Rukwa regions.
