On 7th March 2020, UNA Tanzania participated in a one-day SDGs workshop organized by the DANIDA Alumni Network. Using our technical expertise, we elaborated on the technical aspects of the SDGs implementation, monitoring and evaluation at the country level.

We began by providing extensive knowledge on the background of the SDGs starting from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Agenda 2030 and the implementation strategy of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Five Years Development Plan 2016-2021.

During the session, we explained that 17 goals were approved by all member states of the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity. These goals tackle the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development that works for all people. The key implementers of the SDGs are the Government, Private Sectors, Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

In Tanzania, the government implements SDGs through the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) using regional strategic plans. On ensuring SDGs are achieved, the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) is responsible for producing the SDGs performance reports that provide key information to support the implementation process in the country.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is responsible for providing core statistics and data that are critical for monitoring and evaluating the National Five Year Development Plans that contribute to the SDGs implementation. And the National Parliament exercises lawmaking and budgeting for the implementation of the National Plans and Strategies.

The Private Sector implements the SDGs through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that aims to ensure companies conduct business in a way that is ethical, taking into account social, economic, environmental and human rights aspects.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) implements the SDGs through capacity building training and advocacy through awareness, activity creation, production of learning materials and conducting of service delivery programs.

In tracking and reporting progress made towards achieving these goals, countries present a Voluntary National Review to give an overview of where the country stands in SDGs implementation. During this conference, suggestions on how to accelerate progress can be done through experience sharing, peer-learning, identifying gaps and good practices, and mobilizing partnerships.

In 2019, Tanzania signed up to give a review for the first time. The review showed that our country had been doing reasonably well in addressing goals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 16, and lagging in the implementation of 1, 13, 14, 15 and 17. Following this analysis, it was agreed than extra domestic and international efforts are needed to help achieve these promises.