The
Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Ambassador of Tanzania to Ethiopia
H.E. Naimi Hamza Aziz Delivers her speech during the opening session of
the African Minerals and Geosciences Centre(AMGC) 36th Annual Meeting
hels at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA), Conference
Centre in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Tanzania Embassy Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
May,31,2016.
Tanzania has been elected a Chair of the Governing Council of African Minerals and Geosciences Center (AMGC) during its 36th
annual meeting held at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(UNECA) conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia over the weekend.
Tanzania was represented by The
Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Ambassador of Tanzania to Ethiopia
H.E. Naimi Hamza Aziz who read the Member country’s statement on behalf
of Minister for Minerals and Energy Prof. Sospeter Muhongo.
In her speech, ambassador Naimi
urged Member States to consider the development of other strategic
minerals such as graphite; lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) which
she said were not only economically viable but also important.
“The mining sector is seriously
affected by the drop of mineral prices in the global market especially
for precious and base metals which are mostly mined by our countries.
The decline of mineral price has resulted to low exploration activities
to Member States especially my country, which has led to the decline of
income to the centre (AMGC),” she said.
The Tanzania Permanent Rep.
further advised the African Minerals and Geo-Sciences Center(AMGC) to be
more creative and diversify its economic activities for its future and
sustainability.
In order for Member States to
catch up with fast growing technologies, the Ambassador said it was high
time for AMGC to invest in Research and Development (R&D), in which
the findings would be shared with Member States for optimal utilization
of mineral rich resources found in the continent.
She said that Member States
should endeavor to make AMGC a truly Pan African Center of Excellence
and to achieve this more needs be done in terms of marketing, which
would increase the center’s visibility and capability and promote the
tremendous work it does.
“It is therefore crucial that
Member States pay their respective annual contributions to the center,
in order to allow it to operate more efficiently and effectively and
successfully implement its programs and activities,” She emphasized.
Ambassador Naimi said Tanzania
was very proud to host the AMGC and stands committed to continue to
honor and fulfill its obligation which aims inter alia, to facilitate
and ensure that the center fulfills its mission and mandate to serve all
African countries.
In his opening speech the
outgoing AMGC chairman who is also The Ethiopian Minister of Mines,
Petroleum and Natural Gas H.E. Tolesa Shagi said Ethiopia and many
African countries were adopting effective mineral management policies
and strategies for the exploitation of mineral resources which were
vital in boosting economic growth.
“The Mining sector in Ethiopia is
providing support for the development of small and medium scale and
artisanal mining enterprises and encourage greater participation of
women in mining activities as a strategy for enhancing the development
impact of mineral resources,” he said.
The Minister highlighted
challenges facing mining industry in Ethiopia and Africa in general
including shortage of capacity in negotiating, administering and
monitoring the mining contracts as well as lack of sufficient
geo-science information.
He said for African countries to
overcome the challenges facing the mining industry they should opt for
coordinated efforts as envisaged in the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) that
was adopted by African Heads of States in February 2009, the long term
goal of the vision is to create a Transparent Equitable and optimal
exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable
growth and socio-economic development.
Speaking during the same
occasion, the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of ECA said
that the Economic Commission for Africa(ECA) was acutely aware of the
strategic importance of the AMGC as a partner to African Countries to
collectively implement a transformative agenda for mineral resources
development which would be instrumental for sustainable development.
African Minerals and Geosciences
Centre (AMGC) formerly known as the Southern and Eastern African Mineral
Centre (SEAMIC) started as a sub-regional development Centre for
Eastern and Southern African nations namely, Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia,
Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Centre is located in Kunduchi Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania.
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