Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has urged Tanzanian youth to play a more active and influential role in shaping sustainable food systems, both at home and globally.
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) held from July 27 to 29, 2025, in Addis Ababa, the minister met with a group of young Tanzanian leaders participating in the Youths4Food campaign under the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
Kombo applauded the youth for representing the country in a forum focused on transforming food systems and emphasized the importance of their involvement in finding long-term solutions to food security and nutrition challenges.
“You are the voice of Tanzania’s youth on the global stage. This is your chance to shape meaningful reforms. Let your ideas and actions lead to food systems that are nutritious, safe, and sustainable,” Kombo told the delegation.
The GAIN initiative is designed to empower young people to influence policy, strategy, and implementation of food system reforms. Through Youths4Food, participants are encouraged to bring forward innovative approaches to tackle issues such as hunger, poor nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
The minister’s engagement comes at a time when the global community is intensifying efforts to review progress made since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, with youth playing a central role in shaping the future of food.