The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has participated in the meeting of the African Heads of State and Government Committee on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), held on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.
During the meeting, President Samia emphasized that climate change continues to pose serious threats to Africa’s economic and social development.
She noted that key sectors which support livelihoods and employment including agriculture, energy, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure are increasingly affected by unpredictable weather patterns, weakening production systems and community resilience across the continent.
The President outlined Tanzania’s national approach to addressing climate change, which focuses on expanding access to clean and reliable energy while supporting economic transformation.
She highlighted ongoing national investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and sustainable hydropower, as well as efforts to promote the use of clean cooking energy in households.
President Samia reaffirmed that the Clean Cooking Energy Agenda is a national priority and aligns with Africa’s broader transition toward sustainable energy.
Through regional cooperation and shared infrastructure, Tanzania continues to contribute to energy security and economic integration in Africa, strengthening the continent’s capacity to support industrial growth, social services, and job creation.
She also stressed the importance of strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk management through cooperation with regional institutions.
Timely and accurate climate and weather information, she noted, saves lives and reduces the economic costs of disasters. However, she pointed out that these systems face challenges due to limited financial and technical resources, calling for increased international support.
Addressing climate finance, President Samia emphasized that the success of the global climate response depends on the timely fulfillment of financial commitments.
She highlighted that complex procedures, high implementation costs, and excessive reliance on loans continue to limit access to climate finance for developing countries.
She underscored the need for grants and concessional financing to protect development gains while responding to climate risks.
“For Tanzania and many African countries, grant-based climate finance and concessional funding are essential to safeguarding development progress while addressing the impacts of climate change,” she stated.
President Samia further reaffirmed Tanzania’s support for the Global Goal on Adaptation and its continued collaboration with the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) and other regional institutions to strengthen early warning systems.
She emphasized that these systems should be recognized as global public goods and supported through sustainable financing.
The President also supported efforts to establish common African standards for carbon markets to ensure that carbon trading delivers real benefits to communities, national economies, and environmental protection.
She highlighted Tanzania’s initiatives to add value to natural resources, develop green minerals, promote sustainable tourism, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure as part of building an inclusive and employment-generating economy.
Concluding her remarks, President Samia affirmed Tanzania’s readiness to work closely with other African countries in preparing for upcoming global climate change negotiations.
She emphasized that effective coordination among governments, regional bodies, and continental institutions is essential to ensuring Africa’s priorities are reflected in global climate decisions.
The African Heads of State and Government Committee on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) was established in 2009 by the African Union to guide and coordinate Africa’s common position on climate change.
CAHOSCC serves as Africa’s high-level climate leadership platform, bringing together Heads of State and Government to shape continental priorities on climate finance, energy transition, carbon markets, and climate-related security and mobility issues, while safeguarding Africa’s development aspirations.
Tanzania remains an active and influential member of CAHOSCC, having previously chaired the Committee of Experts and currently holding a permanent position at the Heads of State level strengthening the country’s role in shaping Africa’s climate policies and global negotiations.