On August 15, 2024, UNA Tanzania as the co-conveners of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platfrom organised a high-level multi-stakeholders consultation towards the Summit of the Future . The consultation was conducted in collaboration with the United Nations in Tanzania and was hosted at the UN House in Dar es Salaam. The objective was to gather multistakeholders inputs to inform the formulation of the national statement towards the Summit of the Future which will be held in September 22^nd and 23^rd 2024 in New York, United States of America. The consultation brought together an array of around 100 participants, including representatives from the National Planning Commission, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders from across Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.

The session began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Ibrahim Bakari, The Executive Director of UNA Tanzania. Mr. Bakari acknowledged the presence of esteemed guests and participants from diverse regions across the country. He highlighted the importance of the Summit of the Future as a platform to strengthen international cooperation and develop the Pact for the Future. He also emphasized the need for continued engagement from CSOs to ensure their inputs are reflected in Tanzania’s national position paper, urging collective action towards a fair, sustainable, and inclusive future.

Following Mr. Bakari, Ms. Shabnam Mallick, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, delivered opening remarks that underscored the critical role of CSOs in driving global change and addressing pressing challenges. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between the United Nations and CSOs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a just, equitable, and sustainable society. Ms. Mallick emphasized the significance of the Summit of the Future as a platform for collective action and innovation, particularly in areas such as inclusive governance, sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights.

Mr. Joseph Malekia, a senior economist at the Planning Commission, represented the Tanzanian government and highlighted the invaluable contributions of CSOs to sustainable development. He commended the organizers for creating a platform for open dialogue and collaboration, stressing the importance of this consultation in shaping national and global agendas.

A significant portion of the consultation was dedicated to discussing the Pact for the Future and group discussions that were instrumental in gathering diverse perspectives and generating essential inputs that was focused on the five key areas of the Pact for the Future. Some of the inputs in each area are highlighted below;

1.Sustainable Development and Financing for Development

• While the Pact mentions the importance of mobilizing domestic resources, it lacks concrete recommendations on how to achieve this, such as capacity building for tax administrations, combating illicit financial flows, and promoting public-private partnerships.

2. International Peace and Security

• The Pact could emphasize the importance of civil society organizations in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.

3. Science, Technology and Innovation and Digital Cooperation

• The Pact mentions seizing opportunities from science, technology, and innovation (STI) for the benefit of people and the planet. However, it lacks a specific mention of innovative financing mechanisms or incentivizing private sector participation in STI for sustainable development, which could be critical to realizing these opportunities on a global scale.

4.Youth and Future Generations

• The action does touch on education, health, and social services but does not fully emphasize the need for scaling up vocational training and entrepreneurship programs specifically tailored to youth in developing countries. These programs should be designed not just to provide basic skills, but also to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among young people, which is crucial for sustainable development.

5.Transforming Global Governance

• It is crucial that UN member states contribute to the financing of climate change mitigation frameworks in proportion to their impact on environmental degradation. This approach ensures that those nations most responsible for climate-related damages bear a fair share of the financial burden in addressing these global challenges. By aligning contributions with environmental impact, we can create a more equitable and effective system for funding climate action and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on vulnerable populations.

UNA Tanzania is proud of the outcomes of this consultation, it was not only a pivotal moment in Tanzania’s preparation for the Summit of the Future but also a testament to the power of collective action and multi-stakeholder collaboration. We look forward to continuing this journey together as we work towards a future that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable for all.