JET HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL ROLE OF CSOs IN COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AHEAD OF UNCCD COP17

 

Dodoma, Tanzania

The Executive Director of the Journalists' Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET), John Chikomo, has underscored the pivotal role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in combating desertification and land degradation, saying their contribution is essential to achieving Tanzania's environmental sustainability goals and global commitments under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Chikomo made the remarks while presenting a paper titled "The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Combating Desertification in Tanzania" during the UNCCD COP17 National Preparatory Workshop, held on 30 June 2026 in Dodoma.

The workshop was organized under the Kilimo Endelevu Arusha (KEA) Project, implemented by MVIWAARUSHA, CARI, and RECODA with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD). It aimed to strengthen the participation of Tanzanian stakeholders in preparations for the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD, scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.

In his presentation, Chikomo highlighted JET's contribution to environmental conservation through environmental journalism, public awareness campaigns, and media engagement. He also outlined the association's role in representing environmental journalists and civil society perspectives at the upcoming UNCCD COP17 and in other international environmental processes.

He noted that civil society organizations play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges by raising public awareness, supporting environmental conservation initiatives, empowering local communities through capacity building, and advocating for policies that protect fragile ecosystems while promoting equitable and sustainable natural resource governance.

Chikomo further emphasized that CSOs complement government efforts by supporting the implementation of Tanzania's National Action Programme (NAP) under the UNCCD framework, contributing to the country's target of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.

The workshop also provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the UNCCD and the outcomes of Désertif'actions 2026, strengthen their capacity to engage in UNCCD negotiations, promote collaboration on sustainable land management, agroecology, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience, and contribute to the development of Tanzania's priorities and recommendations for COP17.

The event brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and environmental stakeholders, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in the fight against desertification and promoting sustainable land management in Tanzania.

The workshop was officially opened by Abdallah Lungo, representing the UNCCD National Focal Point from the Vice President's Office – Division of Environment (VPO-DoE), who called for stronger partnerships among government, civil society, and other stakeholders to advance sustainable land management and environmental protection in the country.