The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has stated that the global commitment to protect biodiversity must be accompanied by concrete actions, sustainable financing, and community participation to ensure that ecosystems are protected, restored, and utilized in a sustainable manner.
President Dr. Mwinyi made these remarks on October 16, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, while addressing the Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity (COP17), representing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He noted that Tanzania has developed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2025–2030, which aims to strengthen conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the sustainable use of biological resources.
Highlighting progress made in Zanzibar, President Dr. Mwinyi stated that the number of marine protected areas has increased from five to seven, while the total area under conservation management has expanded from approximately 2,400 square kilometers to over 3,600 square kilometers—a move that contributes to the protection of marine resources and the promotion of sustainable development. At the meeting, Tanzania expressed its support for robust political outcomes and the implementation of global biodiversity targets leading up to 2030—including the goal to conserve 30% of land and marine areas by that year.
Accompanying President Dr. Mwinyi as part of the Tanzanian delegation are the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. James Kinyasi Millya; the Ambassador of Tanzania to Russia (who also represents Tanzania in Armenia), Hon. Fredrick Ibrahim Kibuta; and various other government leaders and official
