Tanzania’s candidature for a seat on the World Heritage Committee merits support by the international community as the country has shown additional efforts to protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage, say diplomats in Dar es Salaam.
French Ambassador to Tanzania, Marcel Escure
French Ambassador to Tanzania, Marcel Escure, said that bilateral relations the country has sustained with the international community, in addition to a high degree of commitment in preserving world heritage, should be supported to help it secure representation on the World Heritage Committee.
The envoy made the remarks in Dar es Salaam on Thursday at a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Tanzania.
“We (France) have good relations with Tanzania; we appreciate the commitment this country has shown in conserving the varied cultural and natural world heritage. The country needs support to secure a seat on the World Heritage Committee.
We (diplomats) must give serious consideration to supporting the candidature for the welfare of the world’s inheritance,” the ambassador said. Citing an example of support that France had extended to both natural and cultural sites in Tanzania, the envoy named joint conservation cooperation projects in Ngorongoro and Kilwa’s historical locations undertaken by the two countries.
In his welcoming remarks, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Khamis Kagasheki, said Tanzania had presented her candidature for a seat on the World Heritage Committee for elections scheduled to take place during the General Assembly of State Partners to the World Heritage Convention to be held from 19 – 21 November, 2013.
“I appeal to you and your countries to not only support and vote for our candidature but also allow some of your time to help seek support of other European, Arab and South American regions.
I would like to assure you that we will work together to address challenges facing World Heritage properties including poaching and climate change, through sharing and exchange of expertise,” Kagasheki pledged.
The minister named Mr Donatius Kamamba, an American trained conservationist and currently the Director of Antiquities in the ministry, as Tanzania’s candidate who would vie for the seat on the World Heritage Committee.
According to the minister, Tanzania’s candidate will be supported by Dr James Vedastor Wakibara, currently a Principal Ecologist with Tanzania National Parks and Dr Muhammad Juma Muhammad, currently Director of Urban and Rural Planning in Zanzibar.
Earlier, the minister informed the diplomats that Tanzania had dedicated more than 42,000 square kilometres of its land to conservation, hosting a total of 15 national parks, one conservation area, 28 game reserves and several marine parks, besides a number of protected and controlled areas.
“Tanzania is also a State Party to the UNESCO 1972 World Heritage Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was ratified in 1977,” explained Kagasheki.
Tanzania World Heritage Sites include Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, Serengeti National Park and Selous Game Reserve. Others are Kilimanjaro National Park, Zanzibar’s Stone Town and the Kondoa rock paintings.
By BILHAM KIMATI, Tanzania Daily News
