By Our Reporter
Tanzania has urged Global Environment Facility (GEF) implementing agencies to scale up environmental and climate-related investments while strengthening accountability, coordination, and project performance, as the country faces mounting climate and biodiversity pressures.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with multilateral financial mechanism agencies in Dodoma, Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Dr. Richard S. Muyungi, said Tanzania aims to expand its GEF-funded project portfolio in line with national development priorities and global environmental commitments.
“This meeting is an opportunity to review the full lifecycle of GEF-supported projects — from design to implementation and impact — and to strengthen oversight, coordination, and delivery of results,” Muyungi said.
Tanzania is currently benefiting from several climate and environmental financing mechanisms that support its obligations under multilateral environmental agreements. The government credits GEF-backed initiatives with contributing to progress in tackling land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change impacts.
However, Muyungi warned that the escalating “triple planetary crisis” — climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution — requires more coordinated, well-funded, and results-driven interventions.
“Financial resources alone are not enough. Strong technical capacity, efficiency, and measurable impact must underpin every project,” he said, adding that multilateral financing remains critical to complement domestic funding.
The government called on GEF implementing agencies to increase technical support to national institutions, including sector ministries, regulatory bodies, and sub-national authorities, to improve project preparation, execution, and long-term sustainability.
Muyungi also emphasized the need for projects to demonstrate “value for money,” urging agencies to ensure efficient use of resources, clear development outcomes, and tangible environmental benefits.
“Interventions must show measurable results and clear contributions to national development and global environmental goals,” he said.
In a bid to strengthen national ownership, Tanzania urged agencies to deepen collaboration with local stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, research institutions, community groups, and the private sector.
The Vice President’s Office, which serves as Tanzania’s GEF Political and Operational Focal Point, is seeking stronger reporting mechanisms, improved information sharing, and closer consultation throughout project cycles to enhance portfolio oversight.
Muyungi further called for Tanzania to secure a larger share of funding from regional and multi-country environmental projects, arguing that allocations should better reflect the country’s environmental needs, commitments, and contribution to global sustainability efforts.
“The government expects fair and deserved access to regional resources consistent with Tanzania’s role in addressing global environmental challenges,” he said.
As part of its forward strategy, Tanzania plans to strengthen project screening, improve endorsement timelines, enhance monitoring and learning systems, and support resource mobilization efforts under the GEF’s Ninth Replenishment Cycle.
The government sees the expanded use of multilateral climate finance as a key pillar in advancing environmental conservation and climate resilience under the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Muyungi reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and partnership with multilateral financial institutions, saying stronger collaboration would be essential to maximizing environmental and socio-economic returns on funded projects.
The meeting brought together senior government officials from both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, representatives from international financial and environmental agencies, and technical experts from relevant ministries.