5th Pre-Annual General Meeting Symposium holds in Tanzania

On the 12th of December 2023, the Global Compact Network Tanzania, hosted the 5th edition of its pre-Annual General Meeting Symposium in Dar es Salaam. Themed 'Forward Faster for Sustainability', the event had Zlatan Milisic, the UN Resident Coordinator, Tanzania as the guest of honour.

The symposium was convened with the aim of spotlighting the crucial role that the private sector can play in expediting the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout their operational endeavors. This involves the adoption of the United Nations Global Compact FORWARD FASTER Initiative.

The symposium emphasized the fact that integrating Gender Equality, Climate Action, Living Wage, Water Resilience, and Finance & Investment into business operations is not merely a pursuit of sustainability; it embodies a forward-thinking, action-oriented, and leadership-driven approach. Companies, through these transformative changes, can spearhead the movement towards a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable global landscape.

Speaking at the session, Ms. Marsha Macatta-Yambi, Executive Director of the Global Compact Network Tanzania (GCNT) noted: "The Pre-AGM Symposium is a time to come together, collaborate, and commit to building a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient environment in Tanzania. Incorporating gender equality, climate action, fair living wage, water resilience and sustainable finance & investment into business operations is not just about being sustainable, it is about being a forward thinker, doer and leader. The future of our nation and the well-being of our people depend on it, and GCNT aims to leave no one behind”. 

PARTICIPANTS:

The symposium successfully brought together leaders from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the United Nations, employer organizations, corporate CEOs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), civil society, and other SDG experts.

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Topic: FORWARD FASTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Moderator: Khalila Mbowe, CEO, Unleashed Africa Social Venture

Panelists:

- Adv. Suzanne Ndomba-Doran, CEO & Executive Director, Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE)

- Dr. Mitra Sadananda, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Tanzania

- Dr. Obinna Anyalebechi, Managing Director, Serengeti Breweries Ltd (SBL)

- Mr. Manzi Rwegasira, Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Tanzania

- Mr. Kenneth Mutaonga, Director of Exploration, Development and Production, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC)

The panel discussion commenced with the screening of the FORWARD FASTER video, followed by the Executive Director's overview of the initiative and its accompanying targets. The panelists provided guests with an in-depth discussion of the topics, providing insights based on their areas of expertise.

PARTNERSHIPS AND MOU SIGNING:

An important moment at the symposium was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Global Compact Network Tanzania (GCNT) and Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL). This commitment signifies the adoption of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and a joint exploration of opportunities related to capacity building, environmental impact mitigation, funding, and change management for the supply chain in Tanzania. The MoU also supports local initiatives such as the Business SDGs Awards and Responsible Business Conduct Thought Leadership events.

The event was also an opportunity to elevate the UN Global Compact - IFAD partnership in Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW GCNT MEMBERS:

GCNT welcomed nine (9) new members at the symposium including:

- Urban Care Company Limited

- African Plantations Kilimanjaro Limited

- Farming City Company Limited

- Kelam Company Limited

- Pemba Environment and Sanitation Organization

- Altezza Travels

- NAK Limited

- Serengeti Breweries Limited

- G4S Secure Solutions (TZ) Limited

UNVEILING OF FOCUSED GENDER EQUALITY GRADUATES:

The event culminated in the unveiling of the first cohort of Focused Gender Equality (FGE) graduates. FGE, a local initiative, aims to empower university graduates as ambassadors and change agents advocating for ambitious targets for women's representation and leadership in their workplaces.

Key Statistics:

 - Number of Graduates: 35 from seven universities including:

 - University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

 - Ardhi University (ARU)

 - Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR)

 - Tumaini University

 - National Institute of Transport (NIT)

 - Institute of Social Work

 - African University in Tanzania

In all, the symposium marked a significant step towards fostering sustainability, equity, and resilience, with tangible commitments from both established and new participants.