Tanzania and Slovakia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening international cooperation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through science diplomacy, following high-level discussions hosted by UNESCO in Dar es Salaam.
The meeting, held on June 11, 2026, brought together representatives from UNESCO, the UNESCO National Commission of Tanzania and the Slovakia National Commission for UNESCO.
The discussions were attended by Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, His Excellency Juraj Blanár, and his delegation.
The College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), Mweka, was represented by Mr William Marandu, who joined the deliberations on biodiversity conservation, scientific collaboration and sustainable development.
At the centre of the discussions were Tanzania’s East Usambara Biosphere Reserve and Slovakia’s Polana Biosphere Reserve, both recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which promotes the conservation of ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods for communities.
Participants underscored the growing importance of science diplomacy in addressing global environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
They noted that stronger collaboration among countries is essential for advancing research, sharing expertise and developing innovative solutions to conservation challenges.
The meeting also highlighted the role of international partnerships in facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening scientific cooperation.
Officials said such collaborations are critical in generating sustainable approaches that protect natural resources while enhancing human well-being.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment by Tanzania and Slovakia to deepen cooperation through UNESCO platforms and to explore opportunities for joint initiatives in biodiversity conservation, environmental research and sustainable development.
Participants agreed that biosphere reserves play a crucial role in demonstrating how environmental protection and socio-economic development can go hand in hand, serving as living laboratories for sustainable practices.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism about future collaboration and reaffirming their determination to promote biodiversity conservation and scientific partnerships that benefit present and future generations.
The engagement is expected to further strengthen ties between Tanzania and Slovakia while advancing UNESCO’s broader agenda of using science diplomacy to tackle global environmental challenges and support sustainable development.
