Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo | Closing Ceremony for World Press 2025 Freedom Day

Your Excellency Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania;
Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports;
Hon. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups;
Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners present;
Distinguished members of the media 

Esteemed colleagues 

Habari za asubuhi?!

As we conclude this year’s national commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all participants—journalists, media practitioners, policymakers, civil society, youth leaders, and development partners—who have contributed to the richness and depth of our discussions.

AI is no longer a distant theoretical concept for discussion in think tanks. It is a reality that is quietly, but profoundly transforming how information is created, shared and consumed. Our choices today will determine if AI serves as a catalyst for progress or a driver for new inequalities and risks. 

My takeaway on some of the opportunities from our discussions yesterday are that: 

1. AI could enhance journalism with tools that support fact checking, data driven analyses and storytelling, translation into Kiswahili and broader engagement with the public.
2. AI could strengthen public sector delivery – agriculture, health care and that
3. AI can be an enabler of the digital economy. 

Vision 2050 recognizes innovation and technology as drivers of inclusive and sustainable development there is an opportunity for AI to be an integral part of that ambition. 

Yesterday we also talked a lot about risks: 

1. AI driven disinformation and misinformation – deepfakes, algorithms that amplify divisive content threatens public trust.
2. We also talked about data privacy and ethics as a concern and that without strong safeguards, AI can expose sensitive personal data and erode citizen rights.
3. Very briefly we touched on the widening digital divide and that the powerful AI tools we now have risk leaving rural and marginalized populations even further behind. 

Unchecked, these risks could undermine democratic institutions and Tanzania’s development gains. 

AI technology is an area of great competition, we can only expect more tools and ever more rapid development of tools. And this will make the responsibilities of managing our society even more challenging and complex. 

It is therefore urgent to craft a Tanzanian approach to AI that is strategic and inclusive. And helps us deal with tools already available and what soon may come. Reechoing some of what I heard in the room:  

1. We urgently need more nationwide AI literacy efforts  - to better equip journalists, policy makers, educators and citizens with the skills to understand and critically engage with AI technologies. Awareness is the first line of defense.
2. We need more robust ethical and regulatory frameworks – develop policies that ensure AI systems are transparent, accountable and aligned with Tanzania’s constitutional values and human rights commitments.
3. We need strengthen independent journalism – that we need to safeguard traditional and digital journalism as essential public goods - ensuring that AI enhances, rather than replace, the core functions of the media.
4. We may also need to invest – as a matter of public policy - in local innovations and, foster home-grown AI solutions that reflect Tanzania’s languages, cultures and development priorities.

AI governance must not be left to the tech people alone, but rather a societal responsibility – including media, government, private sector and civil society all working together.  Tanzanian and her citizens are already engaging with AI. The question before us is how we will collectively guide the transformation to serve the public good. If we act with foresight, collaboration and commitment to our shared values, 

Overall I will be leaving Arusha with a sense of hope that despite the many still real challenges, we are all committed to supporting credible journalism, that it can flourish, that facts still matter. And truth also still matters.  

On behalf of the United Nations system in Tanzania, I thank all for your commitment and collaboration. I look forward to joining our collective efforts to further enable our collective right to information in this new world of algorithms and the policy work required. 

Thank you.

Asanteni sana.