KASSIM MAJALIWA MAJALIWA, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, highlighting the importance of the SDGs as a “beacon of hope” in tackling global challenges, voiced concern about the slow progress in achieving them, with only 17 per cent of targets on track and over a third stalling or regressing.  Against this backdrop, he called for “urgent actions and global solidarity” to overcome challenges like economic imbalances, climate change and conflicts.  Detailing his country’s progress in achieving the SDGs, he spotlighted initiatives like the Building a Better Tomorrow agricultural initiative for youth and women’s empowerment in Zanzibar through seaweed farming.

Citing his country’s historical role in leading the fight against colonialism, he called “for the realization of the right to self-determination of all people under colonial occupation and lifting of economic sanctions imposed against them”, specifically mentioning Cuba.  On peace and security, he emphasized that in light of global health threats and geopolitical tensions “no one is safe until everyone is safe,” urging to “invest more in peace, foster unity and rebuild trust”.  Welcoming the adoption of the World Kiswahili Language Day by the General Assembly, he called for it to become the seventh official UN language.  He went on to highlight his country’s contributions to peacekeeping and mediation efforts, stressing that “Tanzania’s commitment towards peace will not weaken.”

On climate change, he called for greater investments in climate finance to help recover economies already suffering from these effects, noting that Tanzania is “highly vulnerable” to rising sea levels and other climate impacts.  He also emphasized the need to achieve universal clean cooking access in Africa by 2030, noting that 2.4 billion people still rely on polluting fuels for cooking, further exacerbating health problems and food insecurity among other issues.

Ahead of this year’s local government elections and the country’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections, he reiterated Tanzania’s commitment to democracy, human rights and rule of law in line with the President’s “4Rs” vision:  reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding.  “Reforms are crucial for countries and international organizations to stay relevant, for greater inclusiveness, transparency and accountability,” he said, underscoring the need for reforming the Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions.  Urging world leaders “to unite against international threats that undermine unity, peace and human dignity”, he said:  “We can achieve the future we want, if we commit to rebuilding and restoring what has been damaged by our past actions.”