VICE PRESIDENT ADDRESSES THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE AND UN REFORMS

New York – USA,

26 September 2025.

The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Philip Mpango, has stated that Tanzania condemns the resurgence of violations of international law leading to the use of force as a means of resolving conflicts, a situation that causes extreme brutality against human beings, especially children, women, the elderly, and the sick in conflict areas.

The Vice President made these remarks while addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. He emphasized that the persistence of imperialist perspectives, including those that treat Africa as a source of resource extraction and land grabbing, as well as the continued success of multinational corporations through the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources while fueling or supporting conflicts, must come to an end.

He underscored that Tanzania rejects unilateralism and the misuse of military power, along with the failure of the international community and powerful nations to end bloodshed and dangerous wars taking place across many parts of the world, describing such practices as unacceptable.

The Vice President further called on the international community to recognize that the increase in military spending, including weapons research and production, is regrettable and unethical. He stressed that such actions hinder efforts to achieve global peace and divert critical resources that could otherwise be used to advance sustainable development and human welfare.

He noted that the world must relentlessly pursue peace, as it is the foundation of social and economic development. He commended the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, global leaders, and organizations actively engaging in mediation and conflict resolution in countries and regions such as Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East. He also called for the full participation of women in peacebuilding, especially as the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and the progress made in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Dr. Mpango highlighted that the first female President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has shown the way by articulating policies and actions that strengthen the role of women across all sectors of society. Regionally and internationally, she has been a strong advocate for peace, justice, security, and the use of clean energy.

He added that Tanzania, as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council and as a former Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security, has contributed significantly to peace initiatives and supported measures to prevent and resolve conflicts.

Tanzania has announced its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2029–2030, reaffirming its commitment to global peace and security. Similarly, the Vice President emphasized Tanzania’s support for Africa’s position on correcting the continent’s underrepresentation in the UN Security Council and called for the allocation of at least two permanent seats for Africa with veto power.

Dr. Mpango also stressed Tanzania’s support for urgent and comprehensive reforms of the international financial system. He called for increased long-term concessional financing, reform of independent credit rating systems, and a rethink of debt sustainability assessments in order to unlock investment capital for infrastructure, education, health, and climate resilience. He further insisted on stronger African representation and voice in global governance institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, where reforms have long been overdue.

He affirmed that Tanzania is committed and has made progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030), achieving a 60% implementation rate. For Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Tanzania reduced maternal mortality from 750 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 104 in 2022. For Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), access to safe and clean water increased from 32% in rural areas and 55% in urban areas in 2000 to 79.9% and 94% respectively in 2024. Regarding Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the country expanded rural electrification from 8,587 villages in 2000 to 12,318 in 2024, leaving only 15 villages without electricity.

The Vice President urged the international community to strengthen collective action in addressing climate change. He called for the effective use of the upcoming COP30 Summit in Brazil to ensure that pledges are fulfilled, including contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, alongside increased long-term concessional financing, technology transfer, fair trade terms that promote domestic resource mobilization, and mutually beneficial cooperation in the use of natural resources.