Tanzania and Slovakia have strengthened bilateral cooperation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management following high-level discussions at the UNESCO Dar es Salaam Office on 11 June 2026, focused on advancing collaborative management of the East Usambara Biosphere Reserve. The meeting brought together government representatives, UNESCO officials and diplomatic leaders from both countries, highlighting growing international efforts to support ecosystem conservation while promoting sustainable development in protected landscapes.
The discussions were led by UNESCO Country Representative Michel Toto and Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, with participation from Tanzanian officials headed by Professor Hamis Malebo, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO of the United Republic of Tanzania. The engagement centred on expanding cooperation between Tanzania’s East Usambara Biosphere Reserve and the Polana Biosphere Reserve in Slovakia, building on ongoing scientific and institutional exchanges between the two UNESCO-designated sites.
The dialogue reflects increasing recognition that biodiversity conservation requires cross-border collaboration, particularly as countries face mounting pressures from climate change, ecosystem degradation and competing land-use demands. According to UNESCO, biosphere reserves serve as living laboratories where conservation objectives are balanced with economic activities and community development, providing practical models for sustainable resource management.
The East Usambara Biosphere Reserve, located within Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains, is internationally recognised for its exceptional biodiversity and high levels of endemism. The reserve forms part of one of Africa’s most significant ecological landscapes, supporting critical forest ecosystems that contribute to water security, climate regulation and rural livelihoods. Conservation of such ecosystems has become increasingly important as African countries seek to protect natural capital while pursuing economic growth and infrastructure expansion.
During the meeting, UNESCO officials highlighted opportunities for new partnerships and initiatives aimed at strengthening biosphere reserve management across Tanzania. Existing collaboration between the East Usambara and Polana Biosphere Reserves was cited as an example of how scientific exchange and knowledge sharing can support improved conservation outcomes. The cooperation is expected to facilitate learning on biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem restoration, community engagement and sustainable land-use planning.
According to Minister Blanár, Slovakia views cooperation with Tanzania as part of a broader commitment to addressing shared environmental challenges through international partnerships. He noted that UNESCO’s role in supporting sustainable development initiatives creates opportunities for countries with different ecological and economic contexts to exchange expertise and strengthen institutional capacity.
For Tanzania, international collaboration on biosphere reserve management carries implications beyond environmental protection. Natural ecosystems contribute significantly to sectors including agriculture, tourism, water resources and climate resilience. Forested landscapes such as the East Usambara Mountains play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem services that support economic activity and community well-being. Protecting these assets is increasingly viewed as a development priority as governments confront the economic costs associated with biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
UNESCO Country Representative Michel Toto emphasised that effective biosphere reserve management requires coordinated action among governments, research institutions, local communities and international partners. He noted that environmental challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring scientific innovation and collaborative approaches capable of translating research into practical outcomes on the ground.
The discussions also underscore a broader shift in conservation policy across Africa, where protected areas are increasingly being managed through integrated approaches that combine ecological preservation with socio-economic development. Rather than treating conservation and development as competing objectives, biosphere reserve frameworks seek to create sustainable economic opportunities while maintaining ecosystem integrity.
From an African development perspective, such partnerships have growing relevance as countries work to strengthen climate resilience and safeguard natural resources that underpin economic stability. Biodiversity-rich landscapes contribute to food systems, water availability, tourism revenues and climate adaptation strategies. Their degradation can generate significant economic costs through reduced agricultural productivity, increased vulnerability to climate shocks and declining ecosystem services.
The cooperation between Tanzania and Slovakia also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which identifies environmental sustainability, climate resilience and sustainable natural resource management as essential components of long-term development. Strengthening institutional capacity, scientific collaboration and international partnerships is increasingly viewed as critical to achieving these objectives.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of commitments from both countries and UNESCO to deepen collaboration on biosphere reserve management. While the immediate focus remains on knowledge exchange and conservation cooperation, the initiative reflects a broader understanding that safeguarding biodiversity is not solely an environmental objective but also an investment in economic resilience, community livelihoods and sustainable development across Africa.
