Stakeholders Convene to Review Tanzania's Progress on SDGs Implementation

Yesterday, stakeholders convened in Dodoma where they were presented with the findings of Tanzania's second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Representatives, from both Mainland and Zanzibar, including the central and local government officials, private sector, civil society, the media, and United Nations gathered in a show of collaboration and national ownership over the SDGs implementation and progress review.

The event was opened by Dr. Natu Mwamba, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, who underscored the importance of the multi-stakeholder engagement in this process.

“I have been told that the process of reviewing the implementation of the SDGs has been inclusive and transparent, involving all key national stakeholders,” she said, adding that “The principle of Leaving No One Behind guided stakeholder participation during the preparation of this report to ensure all groups (including those marginalized) were considered in the review process. The cooperation we received from you enabled us to complete the draft of Tanzania's 2023 VNR report on time.”

Dr. Mwamba highlighted Tanzania's proactive approach to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "Since their adoption in 2015, these global objectives have been thoroughly integrated into our national development plans. To track our progress, we've developed a comprehensive data framework, identifying all SDG indicators, ensuring we have the necessary statistics to monitor our advancement in both national and international development contexts," she said.

Ms. Shabnam Mallick, Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tanzania, highlighted the challenges the world faces in achieving the SDGs. "Halfway to the 2030 deadline, we are not meeting our targets globally, with just 12% on track and over 30% stalled or in decline," she cautioned referencing the findings from the 2023 SDGs Progress Report. Amid these adversities, she commended Tanzania's efforts in pushing forward. "Tanzania's second VNR serves as a testament to the Government’s enduring commitment to the 2030 Agenda."

Furthermore, Ms. Mallick emphasized the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to financing to realize the SDGs.

"We need more participation of private sector finance if the goals are to be met. We need more domestic revenue; and indeed, we need more international development assistance," she asserted. Ms. Mallick encouraged a proactive and solution-oriented approach. "Let us take the opportunity during today’s discussions to understand what is impeding our progress and explore how we can do better in the coming days," she said, underscoring the importance of continuous evaluation and collaborative effort in driving progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Finance and Planning presented some of the key findings of the VNR and elaborated on the process that was used to gauge the nation's progress on the SDGs giving stakeholders the opportunity to engage with the findings. Reflections were shared by the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform (TSDP) and the UN-Global Compact Network Tanzania, both of which played pivotal roles as members of the VNR task force. These organizations were responsible for convening civil society and the private sector, respectively, contributing to the inclusivity of the review.

The VNR process forms an integral part of Tanzania's commitment to the 2030 Agenda, offering an important platform for sharing experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. The final report is set to be presented at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York this July and will give the Government and stakeholders good momentum to engage in upcoming SDGs Summit which will be taking place in September at UN Headquarters in New York.