Tanzania, Norway join forces to address climate challenges

DODOMA: THE Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof Riziki Shemdoe, has met with the Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Tone Tinnes, to discuss how Dodoma and Oslo can join forces in addressing climate change at the level of Local Government Authorities.

The meeting aimed at strengthening efforts to protect communities from climate change–related disasters.

Held in the capital city, the discussions focused on enhancing working relations between PMO-RALG and the Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania in addressing climate change–related challenges across the country.

During the talks, the two sides agreed to further strengthen existing cooperation to facilitate solutions to challenges facing citizens in key sectors, including health, basic education, road infrastructure and other social services at the local government level.

Prof Shemdoe thanked the Government of Norway for being one of Tanzania’s key development partners in addressing climate change and called on the country to continue supporting Tanzania’s development through the implementation of projects that directly impact the lives of Tanzanians.

For her part, Ambassador Tinnes commended the Government of Tanzania under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for strengthening diplomatic cooperation between Norway and Tanzania a partnership that has yielded tangible development benefits for citizens.

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Ambassador Tinnes was accompanied by her assistant, Dr Lutgart Lenaerts and Senior Adviser Dr Yassin Mkwizu. Currently, Tanzania is one of Norway’s 10 long-term partner countries for development cooperation.

Norway supports Tanzania’s goal of becoming a middle-income country that is less dependent on aid.

The Scandinavian state’s priority sectors where its expertise is in high demand include private sector development, renewable energy, petroleum management, enhanced revenue mobilisation through improved fiscal and financial management and environment and climate change.

Tanzania is also a major beneficiary of multilateral assistance and global funds in areas such as health, education and infrastructure, to which Norway is a significant contributor.