President Samia Suluhu Hassan held bilateral talks with leaders from the Caribbean and the United Nations tourism body on Tuesday, using the World Governments Summit in Dubai to press her country’s case as a reform-minded investment and tourism destination.
President Samia met Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais on the opening day of the 13th World Governments Summit, discussions the presidency said were focused on economic diplomacy, governance reforms and tourism transformation.
In talks with Prime Minister Browne, President Samia said Tanzania was seeking to deepen Africa–Caribbean cooperation through the Commonwealth, with an emphasis on trade, investment, aviation connectivity and people-to-people ties.
“There is a need for deliberate and structured efforts to reconnect the motherland and the homeland through modern economic, political and social partnerships,” President Samia said, according to a statement from the State House Office.
Prime Minister Browne praised Tanzania’s handling of recent post-election security concerns, citing the establishment of an independent Commission of Inquiry.
“The decision to institute an independent commission demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to accountability and constitutional order,” Browne was quoted as saying.
President Samia briefed him on governance measures underway, including plans for a National Reconciliation Commission and constitutional reforms, as Tanzania seeks to reinforce political stability and investor confidence.
The two leaders agreed to set up joint technical teams to operationalise cooperation in areas including security, technology transfer, education and tourism. Browne also invited President Samia to attend the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and said he plans to visit Tanzania in June or July 2026.
In a separate meeting, President Samia held talks with UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais, congratulating her on becoming the first woman to lead the organisation and reaffirming Tanzania’s commitment to a strategic partnership with UN Tourism.
“Our priority is to transform tourism through sustainability, diversification, innovation and digitalisation in line with Vision 2050,” President Samia said.
Discussions focused on expanding eco-tourism, community-based tourism in Zanzibar and Mafia Island, digital marketing and data-driven planning, as well as diversification into sports, cultural and gastronomy tourism.
Al Nuwais praised Tanzania’s tourism profile and President Samia’s personal role in promoting the sector internationally.
“President Samia is a powerful global brand for Tanzania, and the impact of The Royal Tour has been significant,” she said, according to the statement.
She said UN Tourism was ready to support Tanzania’s goal of increasing tourist arrivals to 8 million and raising tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product to 24% from about 17%.
The engagements underscore Tanzania’s broader push to diversify diplomatic and economic partnerships beyond traditional allies, while positioning tourism as a central driver of growth, jobs and foreign exchange.
President Samia said Tanzania remained committed to “peace, transparency and cooperation” as it engages global partners at the summit and beyond.
