Tanzania is set to participate in a high-level meeting on December 17 to review the country’s progress in implementing decisions reached at the COP30 climate conference, a move officials say is critical for translating global agreements into tangible benefits for citizens.
Dr Richard Muyungi, the President’s Adviser on Environmental Affairs and Chairperson of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), described the meeting as a vital opportunity to move beyond pledges toward practical action.
He emphasised that developing countries, particularly those most vulnerable to climate change, require strong implementation systems rather than promises alone.
“We no longer need to remain at the level of promises alone. What is required are robust implementation and accountability mechanisms that will ensure climate finance is disbursed quickly and transparently to communities bearing the heaviest burden of climate change impacts, especially in developing countries,” Dr Muyungi said.
He added that COP30 agreements open the door for projects receiving between US$5 million and US$20 million, but cautioned that Tanzania must strengthen its accountability frameworks to accelerate access to these funds and ensure they reach local communities.
The importance of translating COP30 decisions to grassroots action was echoed by smallholder farmers in Tabora Region, who have experienced the direct effects of climate change on their livelihoods.
Mr Yombo Mlokozi, a farmer in Tuli Ward engaged in food and cash crop production for over 20 years, expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting.
“We are encouraged to see the government convening discussions on COP30 decisions. As small-scale farmers, our expectation is to see these decisions translated into modern agricultural technologies that will help us cope with climate change during both the rainy and dry seasons,” Mr Mlokozi said.
Stakeholders say the meeting represents a crucial step in shifting Tanzania’s climate agenda from written agreements to concrete, localised implementation that strengthens food security, community resilience, and inclusive development.
By ensuring that COP30 decisions reach communities on the ground, officials and citizens alike hope to embed climate justice at the core of the country’s long-term development agenda.