Tanzania has called for faster international action to protect coastal communities from the growing impacts of rising sea levels, warning that climate commitments must now translate into funding, technology and infrastructure that can protect people's lives and livelihoods.
Vice President Deogratius John Ndejembi told a high-level United Nations General Assembly meeting on sea-level rise in New York that the threat was no longer a future concern, but was already affecting communities, economies and ecosystems.
For Tanzania, the issue carries significant economic and social implications given its long Indian Ocean coastline, Zanzibar and other islands where millions of people depend on fishing, tourism and trade.
“Sea-level rise is no longer a threat of the future. It is already affecting people's lives, economies and ecosystems,” Mr Ndejembi said.
He identified coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources and flooding among the challenges facing coastal communities, warning that they could undermine infrastructure and development gains if not addressed.
The impacts are particularly important for Tanzania's blue economy, which relies on activities including fishing, tourism, marine transport and other businesses along the coast and on the islands.
Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania was already implementing measures to reduce the risks, including strengthening coastal protection, restoring mangroves and other ecosystems, improving water security and promoting community-led climate adaptation measures.
But he said national efforts alone would not be enough, calling on the international community to make climate finance more adequate, predictable and accessible to developing countries and vulnerable coastal communities.
For communities living along the coast, access to such resources could support investments in stronger infrastructure, water systems, early warning mechanisms and other measures designed to reduce the damage caused by flooding and coastal erosion.
The Vice President also called for greater access to climate technology and stronger early warning systems to help vulnerable communities prepare for extreme weather events and other impacts associated with a changing climate.
The September 24 meeting brought together United Nations member states, leaders, experts and other stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation on rising sea levels.
Discussions focused on protecting lives and economic activities in coastal areas, improving climate data, developing resilient infrastructure, expanding access to technology and promoting nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration.
The meeting is expected to produce a joint declaration aimed at strengthening international action and the capacity of vulnerable countries to respond to the impacts of rising sea levels.
Tanzania has supported the declaration while emphasising that the international community must move beyond commitments and deliver practical results.
For the country, effective implementation could unlock more international support for climate finance, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems and technology—areas that could directly benefit vulnerable coastal communities and key economic sectors.
Mr Ndejembi said the scale of the challenge required countries to work together.
“The ocean connects us. Therefore, the rising of its waters should also unite us in taking collective action,” he said.
The Vice President is in New York representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.