Tanzania Gears Up for World Environment Day 2024: Focus on Land Restoration and Climate Resilience

Dodoma, Tanzania – May 27 to June 5, 2024

In alignment with the global community, Tanzania is set to celebrate World Environment Day (WED) from May 27 to June 5, 2024, under the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.” The theme aims to mobilize efforts to restore degraded lands, combat desertification, and enhance resilience against drought conditions, reflecting a critical environmental and developmental issue facing the nation.

National Observance Highlights

The Vice President’s Office is spearheading the nationwide activities to promote environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. The celebrations will be held in Dodoma, a region facing significant desertification and land degradation challenges, making it a symbolic host for this year’s observance.

Kick-Off Events

The WED activities will commence with a high-profile press conference on May 27, 2024, led by Dr. Selemani Saidi Jafo, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment). The conference aims to outline the week’s events and emphasize the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation.

Following this, on May 29, Dr. Jafo will inaugurate the Natural Vegetation Restoration Project in Mpimbwe District, Katavi. This project includes distributing 4,750 customary land titles and forest ownership certificates, alongside launching livestock infrastructure to support sustainable agricultural practices.

Environmental Forum and Clean-Up Campaigns

A national environmental forum themed “Climate Change and Its Impacts” will be held on May 31, 2024, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam. Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango is expected to officiate the forum, which will gather experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss climate resilience strategies.

On June 1, a nationwide environmental clean-up campaign will be conducted across various regions:

• Eastern Zone (Dar es Salaam): Led by Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango at Coco Beach.
• Lake Zone (Mwanza): Overseen by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the fish market.
• Central Zone (Dodoma): Managed by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Doto Biteko in key areas.
• Southern Highlands Zone (Mbeya): Spearheaded by Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Tulia Ackson.
• Northwestern Zone (Kigoma): Led by the Regional Commissioner.
• Northern Zone (Arusha): Supervised by the Chief Justice of Tanzania.
• Southern Zone (Lindi): Managed by the Regional Commissioner.

Exhibitions and Grand Finale

Environmental exhibitions will be held from June 1 to 6 at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre (JKCC) in Dodoma. Participants from various government ministries, educational institutions, NGOs, financial institutions, civil society organizations, industries, and entrepreneurs will showcase their initiatives and innovations in environmental conservation.

The grand finale on June 5 will see Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango presenting the President’s Environmental Conservation Awards and launching the Blue Economy Policy and its Implementation Strategy. This event underscores the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic activities that utilize ocean resources.

Community Outreach and Public Education

Throughout the week, the Vice President’s Office will engage the public through television, radio, newspapers, leaflets, and social media to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and sustainable practices.