By Catherine Sungura
The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in November 2025 in Belem, Brazil, has reinforced Tanzania’s position on the global stage as a country taking practical steps to address the impacts of climate change, particularly in infrastructure protection and public welfare.
For Tanzania, the conference provided an opportunity to demonstrate how government agencies are implementing concrete strategies to safeguard infrastructure and communities from climate-related disasters.
In a presentation delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), Engineer Victor Seff, the country shared its experience in rehabilitating and reconstructing road infrastructure damaged by climate-related hazards.
The presentation, which included practical examples such as the use of all-weather, climate-resilient infrastructure, positioned Tanzania as a country focused on implementation rather than planning alone.
Discussions at COP30 underscored that a major challenge for developing countries remains limited financial resources and technical capacity to build climate-resilient infrastructure.
However, TARURA has adopted locally sourced stone technology, enabling the construction of about 490 bridges and 30.03 kilometres of roads, cutting infrastructure development costs by more than 50%, Seff said.
TARURA’s experience shows that with sound planning and strong oversight, it is possible to reduce climate risks while improving livelihoods.
The agency’s bottleneck removal programme has also emerged as a strategic solution to unlock economic and social connectivity, particularly in rural areas, with 2,372.74 kilometres of roads serving about 2,690 residents across 263 wards and 762 villages nationwide.
In addition, TARURA’s participation in international initiatives such as the SCALE project, implemented under the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), has enabled Tanzania to benefit from international experience while contributing to global discussions.
This reflects the government’s commitment to working with development partners in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the goal of building resilient, climate-responsive infrastructure.
Overall, COP30 delivered a key message for Tanzania and other developing countries: the fight against climate change requires practical action, sustained investment, and strong domestic and international cooperation.
For Tanzania, the conference strengthened its image as a committed stakeholder in protecting infrastructure and public welfare, while providing a roadmap for sustaining these efforts for present and future development.