Tanzania’s Vice President, Deogratius Ndejembi, has arrived at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam to represent President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 12th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP12).
The meeting comes at a time when protecting Tanzania’s marine and coastal resources is increasingly important to the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly or indirectly on the ocean for food, income and employment.
The Nairobi Convention focuses on strengthening the conservation, sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal environments across the Western Indian Ocean region.
For Tanzanian citizens, the discussions at COP12 have a direct connection to everyday livelihoods.
Sustainable management of fisheries can help protect fish stocks and support fishing communities, while efforts to reduce marine pollution can contribute to healthier waters, safer seafood and cleaner beaches.
The meeting, which began on October 6 and is scheduled to conclude on October 9, is also being held as the Nairobi Convention marks 40 years since its establishment in 1985.
Among the key issues being discussed are strategies to expand the blue economy through sustainable fishing, combat marine pollution and address the effects of climate change, while strengthening the protection of marine and coastal biodiversity.
The discussions also offer Tanzania an opportunity to push for regional cooperation that ensures marine resources are not only protected but also provide sustainable economic opportunities for ordinary citizens.
A stronger blue economy could create opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport and other ocean-based activities, particularly for young people and communities living along Tanzania’s extensive coastline and islands.
The focus on conservation is equally important for future generations. Protecting marine ecosystems today can help ensure that communities continue to benefit from the ocean while reducing the risks posed by climate change, pollution and the depletion of natural resources.
As Tanzania hosts COP12, the meeting therefore represents more than an international environmental gathering. It is an opportunity to strengthen policies and partnerships that can protect the country’s marine resources while ensuring that the economic and social benefits of the ocean are increasingly felt by citizens.