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UNESCO Representative to Tanzania, Michel Toto and the Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Hon. Nape Nnauye (MP) have recently signed a new five-year cooperation strategy in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The signing of this Country Cooperation Strategy affirms the cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania and UNESCO within the UN Cooperation Framework related to building knowledge societies and advancing information as a public good in Tanzania.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Toto explained that the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) will guide UNESCO’s work in the Communication and Information Programme, with a long-term vision for UNESCO’s technical cooperation to respond most effectively to Tanzania’s expressed development needs, priorities and aspirations in this important area. He further stressed that the strategy will importantly provide a strategic framework for the engagement with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania led by the Ministry responsible for Information, other UN agencies, development partners, research and academia, private sector and civil society organizations within the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The UNESCO Country Cooperation Strategy (2022 – 2027) aims to support the United Republic of Tanzania in addressing the challenges, improving monitoring and reporting, and accelerating actions towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets related to communication and information specifically by, enhancing the protection and promotion of the diversity of heritage and cultural expressions; promoting freedom of expression and the right to information; fostering knowledge sharing and skills development in the digital age; and developing ethical standards, norms and frameworks for action to meet the challenges of innovative technologies and digital transformation.

The five strategic priorities areas identified in consultation with key stakeholders, addressed by the Strategy are - media viability and independence, human capital development, the legal and policy environment for the media including working conditions, safety and security of journalists, media and information literacy, and digital citizenship.

Hon. Nape Nnauye, Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology said that the case to invest in information, communication and information technology is embedded in the five overall priorities in advancing media for sustainable development in Tanzania. He said, “I am pleased that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology has an key contribution in our collaboration with the United Nations in Tanzania on advancing information as a public good in Tanzania. This Cooperation Strategy is the first we sign with UNESCO. I hope it is the first of many others that we will sign, to strengthen the mobilization of resources and partnerships for free and independent media, and the promotion of critical thinking and informed societies. Our work together will continue to accelerate commitments for effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. This importantly also aims to empower citizens to address issues of local concern but also make informed decisions about their daily lives, which is core to leaving no one behind”.