The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Mpango, addressed attendees during the opening of a side meeting focused on "Building a Strong Blue Economy in the Pemba Marine Corridor, Collaborative Management of Marine Resources for Sustainable Living and Climate Change Adaptation," which took place alongside the Third United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, on June 10, 2025.
" Tanzania is committed to ensuring sustainable management of the Pemba corridor and the marine ecosystem as a whole." he said .
"The country's goal is to ensure that the Blue Economy serves as a model for inclusive growth, environmental conservation, and long-term resilience." he added.
He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to take urgent actions to protect the ocean for the benefit of current and future generations.
Tanzania is taking various measures to address the threats facing the marine ecosystem to ensure that the Pemba corridor remains resilient and environmentally sustainable over the long term.
These measures include strengthening marine conservation through robust management and the expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs).
"The new conservation areas in Pemba are in the final stages of being announced, thereby reinforcing the country's commitment to safeguarding its unique marine heritage." Dr .Mpango said.
Similarly, the Vice President has stated that Tanzania is committed to ensuring community participation in marine conservation for the development of a blue economy, which involves collaborative efforts to guarantee that marine and coastal development initiatives are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. It also supports alternative livelihoods, strengthens value chains for small-scale fishers, and opens up opportunities for the prosperity of coastal communities while preserving the ecosystem.
" Tanzania is advancing international cooperation by recognizing that marine protection is a collective responsibility." he said", 'Through partnerships with financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, research entities, and the private sector, efforts have been made to promote the use of science, secure funding, and foster innovation to enhance positive outcomes and build local capacity.'
The Pemba Channel is located between mainland Tanzania in the Tanga region and Pemba Island, Zanzibar, and is a crucial area with significant ecology in the marine sector. It encompasses coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove ecosystems that support the fishing industry in the country and assist coastal communities, serving as a buffer against the increasing impacts of climate change.
The side meeting aimed at showcasing Tanzania's achievements in community-led integrated marine management has brought together various stakeholders from the marine and environmental sectors from different countries around the world.
This meeting, which focuses on protecting marine life and conserving the ocean, is a vital step in preserving the environment and marine biodiversity to safeguard the ecology that is essential for the scientific discovery of organisms and pharmaceutical training in the world.