The country will push for stronger climate adaptation, technology transfer and ecosystem restoration, while targeting clean cooking access for 80 percent of its population by 2034.
Tanzania will pursue five key priorities at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, with greater access to climate finance, stronger resilience and practical implementation of international commitments at the centre of its negotiating position.
The priorities were outlined on October 28 during a national workshop in Dar es Salaam held to prepare Tanzania’s position ahead of the United Nations climate conference.
The government aims to establish a unified national position, align its agenda with COP31 discussions, prepare an action plan and side events, clarify institutional responsibilities and create mechanisms to monitor the implementation of decisions.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office Dr Latifa Khamis said Tanzania’s position should reflect the interests of both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar while remaining consistent with national development plans and government policies.
“Our position should be unified, practical and clearly reflect the priorities of the country, the interests of both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, as well as the government’s policies, plans and strategies,” she said.
Khamis said the success of Tanzania’s participation should be measured by the decisions it influences, partnerships it builds and financing it secures, rather than the number of meetings attended.
She identified access to climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer, capacity building, carbon markets and measures to address loss and damage as key issues for the negotiations.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ambassador Said Shaib Mussa said Tanzania’s engagement on climate change should advance national interests, international cooperation and the objectives of Development Vision 2050.
He called for commitment and coordinated action among stakeholders to ensure that climate negotiations deliver tangible benefits to Tanzanians.
Tanzania will also seek investment in clean cooking initiatives, particularly for schools and health facilities that still rely on firewood and charcoal, said Director of Environment Kemilembe Mutasa.
The government aims to ensure that 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034, she said.
The initiative will prioritise institutions preparing meals for large numbers of people, including primary schools and hospitals.
“Our focus is on institutions that prepare meals for more than 100 people, particularly primary schools that still use firewood and charcoal, as well as hospitals and similar facilities,” Mutasa said.
Ghamir Andulbasat, a senior programme officer at IUCN Tanzania, said Tanzania had an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by turning climate commitments into measurable action capable of attracting investment.
“The world never misses promises; it misses implementation,” he said, calling for climate action and nature conservation to be treated as interconnected priorities.
He cited the Tanzania Restoration Initiative, implemented in collaboration with the World Resources Institute and the Vice-President’s Office, as an example of efforts to translate environmental commitments into practical interventions.
Other priorities include restoring coastal and marine ecosystems to strengthen resilience and support the blue economy, as well as conserving biodiversity beyond formally designated protected areas.
Andulbasat also called for greater involvement of local communities, particularly women and young people, in environmental initiatives.
IUCN said it would continue working with the government and other stakeholders before, during and after COP31 to support climate action and nature conservation.
About the author
Ramadhani Ismail is a journalist with Mwananchi Communications Limited.
