Tanzania Calls for Collective Action to Protect Indian Ocean at Regional Conference
Tanzania has called for stronger regional cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries to protect maritime resources, enhance security, and ensure sustainable economic development. Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, made the call at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, held from 10 to 12 April 2026 in Port Louis, Mauritius. He described the Indian Ocean as a vital economic lifeline for Tanzania and the broader region, serving as a trade gateway for landlocked neighbouring countries, and highlighted the blue economy's contribution to national development through fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, and coastal trade. Ambassador Kombo noted that growing geopolitical tensions, maritime security threats, and environmental pressures make coordinated international responses essential, stressing that "the need for collective stewardship is no longer optional."
Tanzania's position at the conference was underpinned by ongoing investments in port and energy infrastructure aimed at positioning the country as a strategic hub for trade and maritime services in East and Central Africa. On the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Kombo held bilateral talks with Mauritius' Minister for Foreign Affairs Dhananjay Ramful, with discussions covering trade, blue economy cooperation, and shared development priorities. The two ministers noted that trade between Tanzania and Mauritius has grown steadily in recent years, alongside increased Mauritian investment in Tanzania, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations between the two Indian Ocean nations.
Source: Daily News Tanzania