Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Saidi Yakubu, has called for stronger international cooperation to preserve and promote Olduvai Gorge and the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark as key assets in the country’s heritage and tourism sector.
Ambassador Yakubu said the two sites give Tanzania a unique position globally because of their importance to human history, geological science, conservation and heritage tourism.
He made the remarks during a visit to Ngorongoro, where he was accompanied by Deputy Executive Secretary of the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Khamis Khalid Said, and officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
During the visit, Ambassador Yakubu met Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) officials, including Conservation Commissioner Abdulrazak Badru, Deputy Conservation Commissioner Joan Makwati, Geopark Museum Head Dr Agness Gidna and Olduvai Gorge Station Head Ikayo Sambeta.
He commended the NCAA leadership and technical teams for their efforts in conserving, researching and promoting the area’s heritage.
Ambassador Yakubu said UNESCO recognition should be used to expand international partnerships in conservation, scientific research, training, technology and knowledge exchange.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that Tanzanian experts remain at the centre of such partnerships to strengthen local capacity and ensure the country benefits from its heritage resources.
“Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro-Lengai should continue to be at the forefront of Tanzania’s heritage and tourism promotion globally,” Ambassador Yakubu said.
He said the sites should attract visitors not only for their landscapes and wildlife, but also for their contribution to understanding human evolution, geology, culture and the country’s wider heritage.
Olduvai Gorge is internationally significant for archaeological and palaeoanthropological discoveries that have helped scientists understand human evolution.
Ngorongoro-Lengai, meanwhile, provides a combination of geological, ecological and cultural attractions that reinforce the area’s importance beyond conventional wildlife tourism.
Ambassador Yakubu’s visit highlights the growing importance of integrating conservation, scientific research and heritage tourism as Tanzania seeks to maximise the economic and educational value of its globally recognised natural and cultural assets.
