Statement by UN Resident Coordinator a.i. on United Nations Day

Habari za Asubuhi!

Happy UN Day!

I am proud to be addressing you here today as we commemorate the 79th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Seventy-nine years ago, in the wake of the devastation of World War II, 51 nations came together with a shared vision: to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world. Since that pivotal moment, our organization has grown to encompass 193 Member States, all united by this common purpose. Every year, on 24th October, we observe UN Day to mark the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945—a cornerstone of international cooperation, peace, and development.

Today, we reaffirm the enduring partnership between the Government and the people of Tanzania, the international community, and the United Nations. In celebrating this day together, we not only reinforce our shared commitment but also strengthen our collaboration towards the successful implementation of Tanzania’s National Development Vision, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These frameworks represent our collective roadmap to sustainable development, prosperity, and peace for all.

As many of you know, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) remains our strategic guide for all UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in Tanzania. This framework outlines our coordinated efforts to support Tanzania in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fully aligned with the country's national development plans and priorities. Now, as we continue to work together this year, we are focused on continuing to turn the objectives of the Cooperation Framework into concrete, impactful results that improve the lives of all Tanzanians.

The Cooperation Framework is built around four strategic outcome areas—People, Prosperity, Planet, and Enabling Environment. These pillars reflect an integrated approach to development, ensuring that economic growth is achieved alongside social equity, environmental sustainability, and strong institutional frameworks. Together, they embody the UN’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s balanced progress across all dimensions of sustainable development.

This year’s UN Day theme, 'Prosperity for Future Generations: Driving Sustainable Growth in Tanzania,' is grounded in the 'Prosperity' outcome area of our Cooperation Framework and aligns with the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between the Government and Development Partners. It also continues to build on the key outcomes of the Human Capital Development Summit, emphasizing the critical role of human capital in driving economic growth. Through this theme, we aim to elevate the discourse on the importance of investing in people, underscoring concrete commitments to prioritize key areas that will ensure sustainable prosperity for future generations.

The findings of the 2022 Census highlighted a significant demographic trend, showing that the majority of Tanzania’s population consists of children under the age of 15. This youthful demographic, which will soon form the core of the working-age population, presents a tremendous opportunity to drive accelerated economic growth, directly aligning with this year’s UN Day theme. However, to fully realize this potential, it is crucial that Tanzania makes strategic investments in human capital—particularly in health, education, and employment. These investments will ensure that this generation is empowered to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s sustainable prosperity.

To fully leverage Tanzania’s youthful population (vijana) and achieve sustainable growth, it is crucial to invest in boosting production, productivity, and incomes, which will drive the creation of decent formal sector jobs. By fostering an environment that promotes holistic development, we can enable structural transformation and higher economic growth nationally. These investments are vital to building a resilient, capable generation, ready to lead Tanzania into a prosperous future. This aligns with Baba wa Taifa’s philosophy that Maendeleo lazima yahusishe watu wenyewe. 

The UN agencies contributing to the Prosperity outcome of the Cooperation Framework are contributing by implementing a comprehensive range of coordinated initiatives. These include:

• Establishing gender-responsive, inclusive, evidence-based policy and regulatory framework to address the needs of MSMEs and small holder farmers.
• Working with the National Bureau of Statistics and the Office of the Chief General Statistician in Zanzibar, towards a more sophisticated and innovative approach to the production, use, analysis and visualisation of disaggregated data.
•  Working with business and trade, and all related institutions to provide gender-responsive, market-oriented, quality programmes, products and services to small-holder farmers and MSMEs.
• Supporting the formation, formalisation and effective operationalisation of cooperatives and farmers associations with a focus on women, youth and People with Disabilities.

Through these efforts, the UN, in collaboration with the Government and other partners, remains dedicated to foster an environment that empowers the young people and secures a prosperous future for all Tanzanians.

I would like to thank all development partners and our donors - without you these and many other activities would not be possible. I would also like to thank heads of UN Agencies Funds and Programs; and all UN staff that work hard to provide support to development in Tanzania. Ninasema Asanteni Sana!

I would like to express our appreciation to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania for your commitment to multilateralism and the UN. Asanteni sana for continuing to host refugees from neighboring countries. Tanzania's generosity is deeply appreciated.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Edition UN SDGs Report, published this year, paints a worrying picture on the progress of the SDGs globally. With just six years remaining, current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the SDGs. Without massive investment and scaled up action, the achievement of the SDGs — the blueprint for a more resilient and prosperous world and the roadmap out of current global crises — will remain elusive. 

Overall progress across SDGs targets based on 2015–2024 global aggregate data shows that 48% of the SDGs targets exhibit moderate to severe deviations from the desired trajectory, 30% show marginal progress and 18% moderate progress. This assessment underscores the urgent need for intensified efforts to put the SDGs on course.

Of course, these results have been impacted greatly the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and growing climate chaos. The SDG report warns that while lack of progress is universal, it is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable who are experiencing the worst effects of these global challenges. This reminds us of the urgency of our mission and the need for concerted efforts to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead.

Tanzania joined fellow UN member states at the Summit of the Future this past September and adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Together, these milestone agreements will help ensure that the United Nations system adapts, reforms and rejuvenates, so it is fit for the changes and challenges around us and delivers solutions for all. This is a call to action for all stakeholders in Tanzania to come together, united, in our continued pursuit of the Global Goals.

SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizes the importance of global and national cooperation in achieving Agenda 2030. We must all persist in investing in people of Tanzania during these challenging times and bolster effective partnerships that accelerate and amplify progress. Collaboration is key to our success.

Allow me to conclude by conveying a quote from the UN SG, Antonio Guterres’s message for this year’s UN Day. 

AND I QUOTE:

“In today’s troubled world, hope is not enough. 

Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet. 

Hope requires all countries working as one. 

Hope requires the United Nations.”

Happy UN Day to you all! 

Heri ya Siku ya Umoja wa Mataifa!

Asanteni Sana!