PRESIDENT KIKWETE'S STATEMENT AT THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania delivering his statement at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday September 25, 2014

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK,

25^th SEPTEMBER, 2014

Theme: “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative

Post-2015 Development Agenda”

His Excellency Sam Kutesa, President of the United Nations General Assembly;

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of United Nations;

Excellencies Heads of State and Government;

Distinguished Delegates;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I congratulate you, my dear brother, Mr. Sam Kutesa on your well-deserved election as President of the 69^th Session of the General Assembly. While wishing you every success in discharging your duties and responsibilities, my delegation and I promise you our full support and cooperation.  Allow me also to pay tribute to your predecessor, H.E. John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda for his remarkable leadership of the 68^th Session.

Mr. President,

Our illustrious Secretary General, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, deserves praise and appreciation for his leadership and the good work he is doing for our esteemed organization.  He has been performing his duty with courage, dedication, passion and commitment in driving the UN agenda.  We will ever be grateful to him. 

Mr. President;

We welcome and fully endorse the theme of this year’s debate: “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda”. We see its discussion making important contributions in the intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda that are about to start. 

Post- 2015 Development Agenda

Mr. President;

As we dedicate our time and efforts to the negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, we must not lose sight of the unfinished business of Millennium Development Goals.  It is important that the targets and indicators that will not be accomplished are factored properly in the Post 2015 Development Agenda.  In the mean time we should ensure that we use the remaining 461 days to accelerate the pace of implementing the MDGs.

Mr. President;

The issue of financing the implementation of the post-2015 Development Agenda, must be given special attention.  I am mentioning this matter because experience has taught us that other factors aside, we will fall short of attaining a number of the MDGs targets and indicators because of unpredictable, unreliable, insufficient and untimely availability of financial resources.

Mr. President;

Therefore, for the post 2015 Development Agenda to be achieved, we must device a mechanism to ensure stable, predictable and reliable sources of finance for their implementation. 

Climate Change

Mr. President;

There is more to the year 2015 than the deadline of the MDGs and the onset of the post 2015 sustainable goals.  The year 2015 is also a deadline for the world to conclude a legally binding Climate Change agreement.

We thank the UN Secretary General for convening the Climate Summit that took place on September 23^rd, 2014, here at the United Nations.  It afforded us a unique opportunity to put our minds together and deliberate on the way to save this planet from disaster and advance on green development pathways.  It was very opportune, indeed, to hold this Summit two and half months before the COP 20 in Lima, Peru in December, 2014 and one year before COP 21 in Paris, France.  In many ways the Summit may help make the work in Peru not to be so difficult.  As you know a success at the Lima Conference will mean a lot for the Paris Conference where we expect to conclude a legally binding Climate Agreement.  We know it is not easy but, Tanzania and Africa as whole is appealing to all countries from all continents to do whatever it takes to ensure that COP 21 in Paris in December, 2015 delivers on the expectations of all of us.  Failure should not be an option. 

The United Nations Reforms

Mr. President;

United Nations reforms are long overdue. Reports that consultations and negotiations are not showing encouraging sign of progress is very frustrating, indeed. We should remain steadfast and vigilant not to allow the momentum to be lost.  We humbly request you, Mr. President, to use your good offices and longstanding diplomatic skills to revitalize the process.  We must keep the flame glowing. 

Global Security Situation

Mr. President;

Global peace and security is in a state of flux.  The events occurring in North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa are matters of concern for us all.  Equally, important the menace of terrorism, illicit exploitation of natural resources; poaching; illicit trade in narcotic drugs and weapons are making the world less secure. 

Terrorism is assuming new dimensions making it the big threat of the moment because of its indiscriminate, lethal and callous character. Hundreds of innocent people have lost their lives or have been wounded.  Many more have been forced to flee and some abducted with fatal consequences.  No country is insulated and nobody is safe. As such it calls for all of us to play an active role in the fight against terrorism and cross border crime. Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, ISIS and other terrorist organizations should not be allowed to have their way.  Libya should not be left to disintegrate.  The senseless fighting in the Central Africa Republic and South Sudan must be brought to an end. This world under the leadership of the United Nations Security Council and regional organizations has the capacity to do exactly that.   Let us do what is required of us to stop the bloodshed, loss of life, suffering to innocent people and destruction of property.

Situation in Palestine

Mr. President;

The horrifying scenes of bombing and death of innocent women, children as well as men in the recent hostilities between Israel and Palestine is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, this conflict has been going on for far too long while the lasting solution is known: two states living side by side harmoniously. This solution has been elusive for far too long.  Time has come for the United Nations, the United States of America, Russia, Europe and other global and regional powers to come together in concerted efforts to make it happen.  We shouldn’t wait any longer.

The Question of Western Sahara

Mr. President;

With regards to the question of Western Sahara, let me reiterate the appeal I made last year, at the UNGA to the United Nations Security Council to do everything within its powers to resolve this problem once and for all.  Honestly, I cannot comprehend why this problem, which happened about the same time with that of East Timor nearly 40 years ago should remain unresolved up to this day. What are those insurmountable challenges impeding the UN to end the impasse?  Please do the needful and put the Saharawi question to rest.  I know you can.

Unilateral Sanctions and Embargos

Mr. President;

Once again, we in Tanzania wish to join the others who spoke before us in calling for ending the sanctions and embargo against Cuba and its people.  For over 50 years, the embargo has condemned the people of Cuba including innocent children and women into perpetual hardship and poverty.  It is high time this embargo is lifted and the people of Cuba are given the opportunity to live in dignity like everybody else on this planet. 

Ebola Outbreak

Mr. President;

This General Assembly is being held at a time when our brothers and sisters in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are confronting the worst outbreak of the deadly Ebola epidemic.  In the three countries together with Nigeria some 2,400 people have lost their lives.  The disease, which has no cure or vaccine yet, presents a major threat to the countries where the disease is known to exist, to neighbouring countries and beyond.  Unless, the world succeeds to control the spread of this disease, there is every danger that it can become a global epidemic. 

Mr. President;

Our collective efforts in this regard, is the best way forward. I believe the world has the technology, knowledge and financial resources, which if put together, can stand up against the threat, posed by Ebola.  We should also continue to support the efforts of our scientists who are working tirelessly, day and night, in search of cure and vaccines.

Mr. President;

We applaud the efforts being taken by the UN, WHO, the US government and other countries with the technical-technological capabilities in assisting the affected countries and in the fight against the disease.  We request four things. One, that this support be continued and bolstered where possible until the spread of the disease is put under control. Two, assist other nations in West Africa and elsewhere on the African continent to build capacity for surveillance, isolation and treatment.  Three, efforts to get cure and vaccine, be intensified to save the lives of those infected and prevent others from being infected. 

Finally, or number four please stop the stigma that is developing against Africa because of Ebola.  Reports that a number of people from other continents are shying away from coming to Africa and cancelling travel plans because of Ebola is disturbing.  It is threatening to kill the all important tourism industry, trade and investment flows to Africa.  May the United Nations and friends of Africa, please help us to tell people of the world that Africa is a Continent of 54 independent countries and not a country with 54 provinces.  Not all countries in Africa have disease.  Moreover, many countries are far away from the concerned countries in West Africa.  In fact, the affected countries are closer to Europe than they are to Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa in Eastern and Southern Africa to mention but a few.  As a matter of fact they are 9 to 11 hours away by air.  To cancel visit to all parts of Africa is incomprehensible and a gross injustice to the continent.    

Conclusion

Mr. President;

I am confident that this 7-day debate on the theme, “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda” affords us another opportunity to define a bright future for ourselves, our children, our grand children and their children and grand children.  We should seize this moment to build on the success stories and lessons from many countries and peoples. We should also learn from the challenges and failures during the implementation of MDGs in conceiving the goals, targets and indicators of the post 2015 Development Agenda.  Tanzania stands ready to cooperate with the rest of the members of the United Nations family in building consensus on the Post 2015 Development Goals.

Mr. President;

Allow me to conclude by appealing to everyone here to promise to work for a post-2015 development agenda that will make the world a better place for all of us to live in.

I thank you for your kind attention!

Asante sana!

Merci beaucoup!

Muchas Gracias!

Minister Membe at the Thirteenth Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

Hon. Bernard Membe, Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and also CMAG Chair, register his contribution at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on Thursday September 25, 2014. Also with him at the Meeting is Tanzania's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Peter  Kallaghe.

Hon. Bernard Membe in bilateral talks at the margins of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Hon. Bernard Membe in bilateral talks with his New Zealand counter part Hon. Murray McCully, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Hon. McCully is also the deputy chair of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) while Minister Membe is the current chair of CMAG. 

Hon. Bernard Membe shaking hands with his Norwegian counterpart Hon. Borge Brende, Minister for Foreign Affairs, before holding bilateral talks along the margins of the 69th Session of the United Nations in New York. 

Hon. Bernard Membe and Tanzania delegation in brief discussion with Commonwealth Secretary General H.E. Kamalesh Sharma during the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Also present in the picture (bellow) is Amb. Peter Kallaghe, Tanzania High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Hon. Bernard Membe in bilateral discussions with H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.  The two leaders discussed briefly on areas of cooperation between Vietnam and Tanzania. 

Hon. Bernard Membe and his Kenyan counterpart Amb. Amina Mohamed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The two met briefly during the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. 

Hon. Bernard Membe and United Kingdom's Minister for Africa Hon. James Philip Duddridge shaking hands after they held brief talks regarding bilateral relations between UK and Tanzania. 

Makamu wa Rais akutana na Balozi wa Norway nchini nawa Tanzania Rwanda

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akizungumza na Balozi wa Norway nchini Tanzania, Hanne Marie Kaarstad, wakatialipofika ofisini kwake Ikulu jijini Dar es Salaam, leo Septemba 22, 2014 kwa mazungumzo.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Balozi wa Norway nchini Tanzania, Hanne Marie Kaarstad, (wa pili kulia) na ujumbe wake baada ya mazungumzo yao yaliyofanyika ofisini kwake Ikulu jijini Dar es Salaam

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, akimkaribisha Balozi wa Tanzania Rwanda, Mhe.Ali Said Siwa, wakati alipofika ofisini kwake Ikulu jijini Dar es Salaam.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, akizungumza na Balozi wa Tanzania, nchini Rwanda, Mhe.Ali Said Siwa.

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Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal leo amekutana na mabalozi wa Norway na Balozi mteule wa Tanzania nchini Rwanda na kufanya nao mazungumzo ofisini kwake ikulu jijini Dar es salaam.

Balozi wa Norway nchini Tanzania mheshimiwa Hanne Marie Kaarstad ndiye aliyekuwa wakwanza kufanya mazungumzo na mheshimiwa Makamu wa Rais ambapo licha ya kufika kujitambulisha alimueleza mheshimiwa Makamu wa Rais kuwa atajitahidi kuimarisha uhusiano baina ya nchi hizi mbili katika kipindi chake kama Balozi na kwamba Tanzania ni nchi rafiki kwa Norway na akasisitiza kuzidi kuimarisha uhusiano hasa katika masuala ya utunzaji wa mazingira.

Kwa upande wake mheshimiwa Makamu wa Rais alimueleza Balozi Hanne kuwa, Tanzania inajivunia uhusiano wake na Norway na kwamba uhusiano huo kwa sasa unazidi kuimarika na tena Tanzania inategemea kujifunza mengi toka Norway kutokana na nchi hiyo kuwa miongoni mwa nchi zenye technolojia ya juu katika masuala ya gesi na mafuta.

Balozi Hanne ambaye aliwahi kufanya kazi nchini Tanzania pia alionesha kufurahishwa kwake na maendeleo ambayo Tanzania inapiga na kufafanua kuwa mji wa Dar es Salaam ni kiashiria kimojawapo kinachoonesha wazi kuwa Tanzania inakuwa kwa kasi.

Pia, Mheshimiwa Makamu wa Rais alimpokea Balozi Ali Said Siwa aliyepangiwa kuwa Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Rwanda nakumtaka Balozi huyo kuhakikisha anasaidia mahusiano baina ya nchi zetu kuzidi kuimarika huku akimsisitiza kuhusu uhusiano wetu kama majirani na pia wananchi wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki. 

Balozi Siwa alitumia nafasi hiyo kumshukuru Mheshimiwa Makamu wa Rais kwa uteuzi wake na akaahidi kuiwakilisha vema Tanzania nchini Rwanda.

Waziri Membe aungana na Wana-Diaspora Marekani Kumuenzi Rais Kikwete kwenye "Usiku wa Jakaya"

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete na Mama Salma Kikwete kwenye meza kuu mara baada ya kuwasili kwenye "Usiku wa Jakaya" ambapo Watanzania waishio nchini Marekani - Diaspora walimpongeza kwa uongozi wake nchini Tanzania. Wengine kwenye meza kuu ni Mhe. Bernard Membe, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Liberata Mulamula Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani na Mexico, Mhe. Amina Salum Ali, Balozi wa Umoja wa Afrika nchini Marekani na Bw. George Sebo, Mwenyekiti wa CCM Tawi la DMV, Marekani. 

Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kwenye picha ya pamoja na baadhi ya waandaaji wa "Usiku wa Jakaya" sherehe za kumpongeza Rais Kikwte kwa uongozi bora nchini Tanzania. Sherehe hizo zilifanyika kwenye Hoteli ya JW Marriott jijini Washington DC na kuhudhuriwa na vikundi mbalimbali vya Watanzania wanaoishi nchini Marekani.  

Mhe. Bernard Membe, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa na Mhe. Liberata Mulamula, Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani na Mexico wakifurahia jambo wakati wa sherehe za kumpongeza Rais Kikwete zilizofanyika tarehe 19 Septemba 2014, Washington DC nchini Marekani. 

Rais Jakaya Kikwete akipokea tuzo (ya kikombe) kutoka kwa Watanzania waishio Jimboni California wakiongozwa na Balozi wa Heshima Mhe. Ahmed Issa wakati wa kutoa zawadi. Mhe. Rais alipewa zawadi mbalimbali na vikundi vilivyowakilisha Watanzania kutoka Majimbo ya Minnesota, Illinois, California, North Carolina n.k.

Balozi Juma Maharage, Mkuu wa Idara ya Itifaki Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa akiwa na Profesa Mohammed Janabi na wageni wengine waalikwa wakifuatilia sherehe hizo zilizofanyika kwenye Hoteli ya Marriott jijini Washington DC.

Balozi Joseph Sokoine, Mkuu wa Idara ya Ulaya na Marekani akiwa na Wasaidiza wa Rais na Wawakilishi wa Exxonmobil (wanaowekeza pia Tanzania) wakifuatilia sherehe hizo.

Baadhi ya watumishi wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimatiafa  wakiwa kwenye sherehe za Usiku wa Jakaya

Mhe. Bernard Membe, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa kwenye picha na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Wakala wa Chakula na Dawa Tanzania Bw. Hiiti B. Sillo, baada ya sherehe za kumpongeza Rais Kikwete zilizoandaliwa na Watanzania wanaoishi nchini Marekani. 

Mhe. Bernard Membe akimpongeza Balozi wa Heshima Ahmed Issa baada ya sherehe za kumpongeza Rais Kikwete zilizoandaliwa na Wanadiaspora wa Tanzania nchini Marekani. 

Makamu wa Rais akutana kwa mazungumzo na Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la Dubai

Makamu wa Rais  wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal akisalimiana na Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la  Dubai, Mhe. Ali Rashid Ahmed Lootah alipofika   Ofisi kwake kumsalimia na kufanya nae mazungumzo. Mhe. Lootah alimwelezea Makamu wa Rais dhumuni la ziara yake nchini Tanzania kuwa ni kuangalia nafasi ya uwekezaji katika Sekta ya Utalii, Ujenzi wa Nyumba na Makazi ya watu.

Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la  Dubai, Mhe. Lootah akisaini kitabu cha wageni mara baada ya kuwasili Ofisi ya Makamu wa Rais

Mhe. Dkt. Bilal akizungumza na Mhe. Lootah

Makamu wa Rais, Mhe. Dkt. Bilal akimsikiliza Mhe. Lootah alipokuwa akizungumza naye Ofisini kwake. Kulia kwa Mhe. Dkt. Bilal ni Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Mashariki ya Kati katika Wizara ya Mmabo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Balozi Simba Yahya.

Mazungumzo yakiendelea.

Makamu wa Rais, Mhe. Dkt. Gharib Bilal akiagana na Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la Serikali ya Dubai  mara baada ya mazungumzo yao

Wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja.

Picha na Reginald Philip

Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la Dubai atembelea Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii

Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, Bi Maimuna Tarishi akisalimiana na Mwenyekiti wa Shirika la Nyumba la Serikali ya Dubai, Mhe. Ali Rashid Ahmed Lootah alipowasili Wizarani hapo na kufanya mazungumzo na baadhi ya viongozi katika Wizara hiyo, Mhe. Lootah katika mazungumzo yake aligusia suala zima la utunzaji vivutio vya utalii na uboreshaji wa miundombinu kwa lengo la kukuza sekta ya Utalii.

Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii Bi. Maimuna Tarishi akisalimiana na Balozi Mdogo wa Tanzania, Dubai Mhe. Omar Mjenga 

Bi. Maimuna Tarishi akielezea juu ya vivutio mbalimbali vilivyopo nchini na sifa za vivutio hivyo katika mazungumzo na Mhe. Lootah pamoja na ujumbe alioambata nao pia aliwahamasisha Dubai kuja kuwekeza Tanzania katika Sekta ya Utalii 

Mazungumzo yakiendelea

Kulia ni Mkurugenzi wa Sera na Mipango katika Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, Bw Iddi Mfunda  akichangia katika mazungumzo.

Balozi Mdogo,  Omar Mjenga akichangia jambo katika mazungumzo hayo yaliyofanyika Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii

Mhe. Lootah akichangia jambo wakati wa mazungumzo huku wajumbe wengine wakimsikiliza

Picha ya pamoja

Reginald Philip