.jpeg)
Tanzania has strengthened its standing in global environmental leadership following the election of the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, as Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
The election was held on December 12, 2025, during the seventh session of UNEA at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr Masauni was elected in accordance with Rule 18 of UNEP’s Rules of Procedure, which requires the Assembly to elect its President, Vice Presidents and Rapporteur at the final sitting of each session.
He was nominated by the African Group, which, under established principles of geographical representation and rotation, is allocated two Vice President positions within the Assembly’s Bureau.
His election was endorsed without opposition, underscoring the confidence and respect the international community has in Tanzania’s leadership on environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for the United Republic of Tanzania, reflecting the country’s consistent commitment to implementing national, regional and global environmental policies, strategies and agreements.
It also highlights Tanzania’s active role in advancing sustainable development and addressing emerging environmental challenges at both continental and global levels.
In the same election, Jamaica’s Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change, Mr Matthew Samuda, was elected President of UNEA after being nominated by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.
Switzerland’s Ambassador for the Environment and Head of International Affairs at the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, Mr Felix Wertli, was elected Rapporteur of the Assembly, following his nomination by the Western European and Others Group.
The seventh session of UNEA officially concluded on December 12, 2025, with the newly elected Bureau set to serve during the eighth session of the Assembly.
The session brought together Heads of State and Government, ministers responsible for environmental affairs, experts and stakeholders in environment and sustainable development from all 193 United Nations member states, United Nations agencies and civil society organisations.
UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters, setting global priorities and policies.
Tanzania’s election to the Assembly’s leadership is expected to further elevate the country’s voice in shaping international responses to climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.