NewzULAANBAATAR: TANZANIA has called for increased international investment, technology and financial resources to restore degraded land and combat desertification and drought, stressing the need to protect grazing areas, forests and water sources. The call was made by the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng Hamad Masauni, as Tanzania participates in the 17th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), which was officially opened on Sunday by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa in Ulaanbaatar. Speaking at the conference Minister Masauni said the conference, held under the theme “Restore Land, Restore Hope,” places emphasis on increased investment in land restoration, building resilience against drought and desertification, and sustainable management of grazing areas.
He said the declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists has further elevated Tanzania’s agenda on rangeland conservation and the welfare of pastoral communities at the conference. “For Tanzania, land degradation is associated with various factors, including deforestation and forest degradation, expansion of agricultural activities, uncontrolled bushfires, soil erosion, unsustainable land use and settlement expansion,” he said. ALSO READ: Tanzania, ADDI explore strategies to enable African diaspora to support development initiatives Commenying on the vitality on the event, Eng Masauni said Tanzania’s participation in the conference provides an opportunity to access experience, technology, partnerships and financial resources to strengthen sustainable rangeland management, restore degraded land, conserve forests, water sources and biodiversity, and enhance the resilience of farming and pastoral communities.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Convention Focal Point, Thimoth Mande, said international cooperation enables the country to address land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner rather than treating them as separate challenges. Mr Mande said Tanzania’s participation goes beyond attending the conference, providing an opportunity to showcase measures already being implemented to combat land degradation while seeking increased investment and technology. According to Mr Mande, Tanzania could use the outcomes of the conference to mobilise additional re…
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.
ALSO READ: Beyond COP17 strengthening civil society action to combat desertification and build climate resilience 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…
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