IUCN in Tanzania and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Deepen Strategic Partnership to Advance Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

Led by the Permanent Secretary of MNRT, Dr Hassan Abbas, the meeting focused on translating the MoU into practical actions aligned with Tanzania’s national development priorities. Discussions centred on key areas of collaboration, including biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and addressing human–wildlife conflict, while also exploring opportunities to enhance private sector engagement in conservation efforts.

IUCN’s Regional Programme Coordinator and Country Representative for Tanzania, Mr Charles Oluchina, reaffirmed IUCN's commitment to working closely with the Government of Tanzania and the ministry to advance shared conservation and development objectives. He highlighted the importance of coordinated implementation and sustained partnerships to deliver tangible results on the ground.

A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a Steering Committee and a Technical Committee to guide implementation, supported by a clear roadmap to track progress and accountability. MNRT underscored its strong political commitment to conservation and stressed the need for practical, implementable solutions that respond to both environmental and societal challenges.

IUCN holds a long-standing cooperation with multiple entities in the ministry, including having the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) as one of IUCN members from the authority's foundational years in 1950s. The authority has been collaborating with IUCN over the years and advancing its frameworks of collaborations. Other entities such as Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and Tanzania Forestry Service (TFS) have also been engaging with IUCN on multiple mission-aligned interventions. 

Other entities such as Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and Tanzania Forestry Service (TFS) have also been engaging with IUCN on multiple mission-aligned interventions. IUCN has been supporting the TFS in developing and achieving Tanzania’s Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) strategy by providing technical guidance, implementing the Restoration Assessment Methodology (ROAM), and facilitating partnerships like the Bonn Challenge and AFR100 to meet national restoration targets. 

Courtesy/MNRT

This meeting comes at a moment that ties all ends of the past efforts together, marking an important step in strengthening collaboration between IUCN Tanzania and MNRT, accelerating the foundation for coordinated action that supports conservation outcomes while contributing to sustainable tourism development and national growth.