By Charles Mkoka
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania has launched a nationwide campaign ahead of World Environment Day 2026, with the government outlining an ambitious environmental agenda focused on climate resilience, clean energy, waste management and long-term sustainability.
Speaking during the official announcement of the celebrations, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng. Hamad Yusuf Masauni, said this year’s national theme — “Towards 2050: Let’s Commit to Greening Tanzania” — reflects the country’s long-term development vision and commitment to environmental protection.
The national campaign aligns with the global observance of World Environment Day, which will culminate on June 5 in Baku, Azerbaijan, host city of the UN climate summit COP29. Tanzania’s programme will include nationwide tree-planting exercises, environmental clean-up campaigns, scientific conferences, youth forums and technology exhibitions.
Masauni said the government is intensifying efforts to address climate change through forest conservation, expansion of clean cooking energy and stronger environmental management systems. According to government figures, the proportion of Tanzanians using clean cooking energy has risen from 6.69 percent in 2021 to 28.6 percent in 2025.
He also warned over rising waste generation, noting that Tanzania currently produces between 12.1 million and 17.4 million tonnes of solid waste annually, a figure projected to rise to between 30 million and 60 million tonnes by 2050 if mitigation measures are not strengthened.
“The responsibility to protect the environment belongs to all of us. Every citizen has a role to play in safeguarding the future for the next generations,” Masauni said.
The government announced that President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to officiate the national climax event in Dodoma on June 5, where Tanzania will also launch its 2026–2030 Strategic Environmental Reform Programme, aimed at supporting implementation of the country’s 2050 Development Vision.
Among the major activities planned are a youth climate forum at the University of Dar es Salaam, nationwide environmental education campaigns, tree-planting drives and a scientific and environmental research conference that forms part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC).
The conference, scheduled for May 28 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, is expected to attract around 1,000 participants from Tanzania and neighboring East African countries.
Officials also announced that an environmental technology and innovation exhibition will be held in Dodoma from June 1 to June 5, bringing together government institutions, civil society groups, private sector stakeholders, youth organizations and environmental experts. The exhibition is expected to feature around 100 exhibition booths.
