NEW YORK: TANZANIA has formally announced its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029-2030 term, following its endorsement by the African Union, with the election scheduled for June 2028.
Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announced the candidacy while addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on behalf of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He said Tanzania would seek support from member states to serve with a strong African voice, principled leadership and unwavering commitment to international peace and security.
“We will engage with each one of you and present our vision and respectfully seek your valued support to enable Tanzania to serve with a strong African voice, principled leadership and unwavering commitment to international peace and security,” he said.
If elected, Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania would give priority to preventive diplomacy before conflicts escalate into war, peaceful settlement of disputes, strengthening the role of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, increasing youth participation in peace and security initiatives and advancing reforms of UN peacekeeping operations.
The Vice-President said Tanzania’s bid builds on the country’s longstanding contribution to international peace efforts through the United Nations, including its previous two terms on the Security Council, where it contributed to the adoption of Resolution 1653 on the Great Lakes Region in 2006 and worked with Denmark to establish the Peacebuilding Commission.
The Security Council is made up of 15 members, including five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Countries usually begin campaigning well in advance, with regional endorsement considered an important step before candidates seek support from the wider UN membership.
Tanzania’s announcement came as diplomatic lobbying gathered pace during the General Assembly’s high-level week, with countries using bilateral meetings and multilateral engagements in New York to build support for future Security Council elections.
The Vice-President said Tanzania would use the coming months to present the country’s vision to fellow member states as it seeks election in 2028.
He also used the global platform to call for reforms that would make the United Nations more effective, accountable and representative as it responds to today’s challenges.
Mr Ndejembi said this year’s UNGA theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” reflects the need for a stronger United Nations capable of responding to armed conflicts, climate change, pandemics, artificial intelligence and energy insecurity.
“Tanzania believes the UN80 initiative must go beyond administrative efficiency to include overall organisational effectiveness, accountability and representativeness,” he said, warning that reforms should not weaken the organisation’s development programmes and country offices.
The Vice-President said restoring trust among nations requires renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and respect for the UN Charter, which has guided international peace efforts for more than eight decades.
Beyond its Security Council campaign, Tanzania linked its international agenda with domestic development priorities through Vision 2050, saying developing countries need fairer access to concessional financing, climate finance and a stronger voice in global financial decision-making.
He said Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 seeks to build an inclusive and competitive economy through investment in people, productive infrastructure, technology, innovation, women and young people, while calling for reforms that would ease access to affordable long-term financing for developing countries.
Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania wants the United Nations to remain a platform that advances justice, solidarity and equitable development rather than reflecting only the balance of global power.
The announcement positions Tanzania to begin its international campaign ahead of the June 2028 election, with the country seeking to strengthen Africa’s voice in one of the United Nations’ most influential decision-making bodies.
Tanzania’s announcement came as the General Assembly also provided a platform for other countries to advance their Security Council campaigns. Australia launched its bid for a non-permanent seat for the 2029–2030 term during the high-level week in New York, while Finland is also seeking election for the same term from the Western European and Others Group, reflecting the early diplomatic lobbying already under way ahead of the 2028 vote.
