Tanzania
Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania
to the United Nations
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
STATEMENT BY
HONOURABLE DR. CHARLES J. TIZEBA (MP),
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES
OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
AT THE HIGH LEVEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14
307 East 53rd Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 1022
Tel. No. (212)697-3612/Fax No. 212-697-3618
NEW YORK, 6 th JUNE 2017
1
STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE DR. CHARLES TIZEBA (MP),
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES OF THE
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AT THE HIGH LEVEL UNITED NATIONS
CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14
5 - 9 JUNE, 2017, NEW YORK
Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Secretary General of the UN,
President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania let me
commend The Government of Fiji and the Kingdom of Sweden for their stewardship
toward this conference. This Conference is one of its kind in that it could not be hosted
in a better time than now. Since the Earth Summit in 1992, the world has never had an
opportunity to deliberate on issues related to Ocean taking into account its
sustainability potential in resource endowment, reservoir of both carbon and wealth
including its ability to secure food security, medium of transport and reservoir of
minerals, oil and gas just to mention few.
The United Republic of Tanzania is endowed with a long and rich coastline of about
1,450 kilometres long and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) reaching 223,000 km2, and
include larger islands of Zanzibar. All these have pristine biodiversity domains
comprising of great ecosystems of corals reefs, diverse species of fish and other aquatic
organisms. Its territorial water accedes 64,000 km2 thus making the country a significant
part of the regional fisheries powerhouse. The sector contributes about 2.6 % of the GDP
3
and provides substantial employment, income, livelihoods, foreign earnings and
revenue to the country. The industry directly employs more than 200,000 people, while
more than 4,000,000 benefit from the sector.
Mr President,
The management of these resources have been a major challenge, including the growing
population along coastal zones; inadequate capacity to address land based sources of
pollution, threats of marine dumping, inadequate fish stock assessment data, illegal,
unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, difficulty in providing appropriate
alternative livelihoods to our artisanal fishers, over-exploitation of mangroves and
destruction of coral reefs, and of course - Coral Bleaching resulting from the impact of
climate change.
Mr President.
In addressing these challenges, we need to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws
within our national and regional domains. We must strive to impart public education
and awareness on coastal and marine ecosystems while strengthening surveillance on
illegal fishing. Our capacity to develop reliable and scientific data on fisheries and
marine resources need to be enhanced. Indeed, we need to continue to protect our
marine resources in particular our fisheries, mangroves and coral reefs while
committing to attract financing in conserving and expanding the declared Marine
Protected Areas (MP As).
Mr President,
Any intervention in the context of SDG need to consider national priorities and
development strategies in eradiating poverty and achieving sustainable development.
Thus, Tanzania's priorities towards the implementation of SDG14 revolve around
mobilizing policy, technical, human and financial resources to support improvement of
ocean governance; again, build capacity to improve scientific knowledge and open up
for technology transfer for relevant infrastructures towards achieving SDG14.
4
•,
... - .
At national level, establishment of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism on
implementation SDGl 4 in compliance with existing environmental, fisheries, maritime,
minerals and oil and gas laws is crucial. In the process, it is important to enhance
engagement with community, private sector and other partners in natural resource
management.
Mr President,
Due to transboundary nature of the oceans, its governance cannot be done in silos. That
is why we have decided to use regional approach under the Indian Ocean Rim
Association to enhancing our capacity in governing the ocean.
The regional cooperation facilitates sharing of knowledge, information and expertise;
and identifying areas of joint research for the Western Indian Ocean region. We come
together under the Nairobi Convention Framework to strengthen participation in joint
Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities, participate in developing joint
contingency plans with our regional neighbours while exploring common approaches
to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Therefore, we need support to implement the
Program for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG) initiative under Nairobi Convention
Framework and other sub-regional initiatives of this nature.
Mr President,
Under the Nairobi Convention framework a number of core areas of joint commitment
and action have been made with a view to achieve the SDG-14 Targets. These include:
• Regional collaboration on combating pollution and contingency planning
• Sustainable management of shared fish resources
• Oceans and climate change: transition to a low carbon pathway
• Integrated ocean governance
We will also work to engaging additional cross-cutting themes including harmonization
of policy, sharing research and knowledge, and developing innovative financing
mechanisms for our Indian Ocean region. To achieve the SDG-14 Targets, my
Government has committed to actively promote the implementation of the agreed areas
5
of commitment and action under the Nairobi Convention Framework. We welcome any
existing partnership around the Western Indian Ocean that would guarantee benefits
for our people, our environment and development, and not otherwise.
Mr President,
In his opening remarks, the President of the General Assembly that we are here to hear
the truth. Therefore, before concluding, let me share the truth that the Indian Ocean
Region has been given minimum attention in the race to meeting sustainable
development objectives. We call for more investment in supporting the SIDS and LDCs
of the Indian Ocean Region due to their contributory role in coastal and marine
management.
Mr President.
As I conclude let me stress that SDG 14 targets will not be achieved by addressing each
target individually but by identifying interlinkages among targets. Equally important,
there is a need for balancing actions between developed and developing nations, for
any asymmetry in actions will result to SDG14 not being achieved.
Tanzania wishes to join global partners to enhancement of implementation of goal 14
and believes through regional collaborative mechanism and international cooperation
the achievement of SDG 14 will be realised.
I thank you for your kind attention
6
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to the United Nations
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
STATEMENT BY
HONOURABLE DR. CHARLES J. TIZEBA (MP),
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES
OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
AT THE HIGH LEVEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14
307 East 53rd Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 1022
Tel. No. (212)697-3612/Fax No. 212-697-3618
NEW YORK, 6 th JUNE 2017
1
STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE DR. CHARLES TIZEBA (MP),
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES OF THE
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AT THE HIGH LEVEL UNITED NATIONS
CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14
5 - 9 JUNE, 2017, NEW YORK
Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Secretary General of the UN,
President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania let me
commend The Government of Fiji and the Kingdom of Sweden for their stewardship
toward this conference. This Conference is one of its kind in that it could not be hosted
in a better time than now. Since the Earth Summit in 1992, the world has never had an
opportunity to deliberate on issues related to Ocean taking into account its
sustainability potential in resource endowment, reservoir of both carbon and wealth
including its ability to secure food security, medium of transport and reservoir of
minerals, oil and gas just to mention few.
The United Republic of Tanzania is endowed with a long and rich coastline of about
1,450 kilometres long and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) reaching 223,000 km2, and
include larger islands of Zanzibar. All these have pristine biodiversity domains
comprising of great ecosystems of corals reefs, diverse species of fish and other aquatic
organisms. Its territorial water accedes 64,000 km2 thus making the country a significant
part of the regional fisheries powerhouse. The sector contributes about 2.6 % of the GDP
3
and provides substantial employment, income, livelihoods, foreign earnings and
revenue to the country. The industry directly employs more than 200,000 people, while
more than 4,000,000 benefit from the sector.
Mr President,
The management of these resources have been a major challenge, including the growing
population along coastal zones; inadequate capacity to address land based sources of
pollution, threats of marine dumping, inadequate fish stock assessment data, illegal,
unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, difficulty in providing appropriate
alternative livelihoods to our artisanal fishers, over-exploitation of mangroves and
destruction of coral reefs, and of course - Coral Bleaching resulting from the impact of
climate change.
Mr President.
In addressing these challenges, we need to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws
within our national and regional domains. We must strive to impart public education
and awareness on coastal and marine ecosystems while strengthening surveillance on
illegal fishing. Our capacity to develop reliable and scientific data on fisheries and
marine resources need to be enhanced. Indeed, we need to continue to protect our
marine resources in particular our fisheries, mangroves and coral reefs while
committing to attract financing in conserving and expanding the declared Marine
Protected Areas (MP As).
Mr President,
Any intervention in the context of SDG need to consider national priorities and
development strategies in eradiating poverty and achieving sustainable development.
Thus, Tanzania's priorities towards the implementation of SDG14 revolve around
mobilizing policy, technical, human and financial resources to support improvement of
ocean governance; again, build capacity to improve scientific knowledge and open up
for technology transfer for relevant infrastructures towards achieving SDG14.
4
•,
... - .
At national level, establishment of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism on
implementation SDGl 4 in compliance with existing environmental, fisheries, maritime,
minerals and oil and gas laws is crucial. In the process, it is important to enhance
engagement with community, private sector and other partners in natural resource
management.
Mr President,
Due to transboundary nature of the oceans, its governance cannot be done in silos. That
is why we have decided to use regional approach under the Indian Ocean Rim
Association to enhancing our capacity in governing the ocean.
The regional cooperation facilitates sharing of knowledge, information and expertise;
and identifying areas of joint research for the Western Indian Ocean region. We come
together under the Nairobi Convention Framework to strengthen participation in joint
Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities, participate in developing joint
contingency plans with our regional neighbours while exploring common approaches
to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Therefore, we need support to implement the
Program for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG) initiative under Nairobi Convention
Framework and other sub-regional initiatives of this nature.
Mr President,
Under the Nairobi Convention framework a number of core areas of joint commitment
and action have been made with a view to achieve the SDG-14 Targets. These include:
• Regional collaboration on combating pollution and contingency planning
• Sustainable management of shared fish resources
• Oceans and climate change: transition to a low carbon pathway
• Integrated ocean governance
We will also work to engaging additional cross-cutting themes including harmonization
of policy, sharing research and knowledge, and developing innovative financing
mechanisms for our Indian Ocean region. To achieve the SDG-14 Targets, my
Government has committed to actively promote the implementation of the agreed areas
5
of commitment and action under the Nairobi Convention Framework. We welcome any
existing partnership around the Western Indian Ocean that would guarantee benefits
for our people, our environment and development, and not otherwise.
Mr President,
In his opening remarks, the President of the General Assembly that we are here to hear
the truth. Therefore, before concluding, let me share the truth that the Indian Ocean
Region has been given minimum attention in the race to meeting sustainable
development objectives. We call for more investment in supporting the SIDS and LDCs
of the Indian Ocean Region due to their contributory role in coastal and marine
management.
Mr President.
As I conclude let me stress that SDG 14 targets will not be achieved by addressing each
target individually but by identifying interlinkages among targets. Equally important,
there is a need for balancing actions between developed and developing nations, for
any asymmetry in actions will result to SDG14 not being achieved.
Tanzania wishes to join global partners to enhancement of implementation of goal 14
and believes through regional collaborative mechanism and international cooperation
the achievement of SDG 14 will be realised.
I thank you for your kind attention
6
--- , ..
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