Isles, UN relations impress Shein

DAILY NEWS Reporter in Zanzibar

PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has thanked the United Nations (UN) for its support to Tanzania and Zanzibar over challenges hampering achieving the development goals.

“We are happy to see that there is strong cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania, including Zanzibar, and the United Nations,” Dr Shein said at a party to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the United Nations held here at the Serena Hotel.

He said the UN/Tanzania relation has enabled the East African country manage to tackle many challenges “facing mankind in the 21st Century, notably menace of abject poverty, communicable diseases, growing inequity, terrorism, natural calamities and increasing humanitarian crisis.”

Dr Shein said the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has produced the most successful anti-poverty achievements in history, adding that unprecedented efforts are needed for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We need to end poverty in all its forms, hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture,” Dr Shein said at the evening event also attended by Ministers, Consul Generals and other officers led by Mr Alvaro Rodriguez- the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Tanzania.

The Isles president said further that UN/Tanzania must work together to promote healthy living standards and improve the wellbeing of people of all ages, and that collective efforts are also instrumental in promoting inclusive and equitable quality education, and achieving gender equality and empowering of women.

However, Dr Shein pointed out that despite Zanzibar recording commendable progress in achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals, more efforts are needed to eradicate poverty prompting it to step up efforts in implementation of development plans set in the Vision 2020.

Other plans to make poverty a history include ‘Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (now MKUZA III), saying “Zanzibar is currently implementing the ‘Results for Prosperity’ initiatives which were introduced in 2014 and focuses on five priority areas namely tourism, improving the business environment, resource mobilisation, education and health.”

The President said the United Republic of Tanzania remains an active Member of the United Nations as Mr Rodriguez, the UN Resident Coordinator reiterated commitments to strengthening cooperation and relations between United Nations System and Tanzania/Zanzibar.

Before the president and the invited guests toasted glasses to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the Foundation of the United Nations, along with Taarab music from Twinkling Stars led by Ms Maria Hamdani, Rodriguez commended Tanzanians for their hardwork.

He said “UN roles and support to Zanzibar has been great, this include disaster preparedness and management, health (child and ma ternal mortality), education, culture and stone town conservations, water, and agriculture. Let us hope for a better future.”

The UN which has a sub-office in Zanzibar was established on October 24, 1945 with about 51 countries aiming to make the world a better place for all human beings, and since then it has undergone reforms with its 193 current members.