Go for development, not WMDs, Dar tells ‘world

TANZANIA has called upon the international community to reduce use of firearms, including Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and instead direct the funds in implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The call was made on Tuesday by Tanzania’s Permanent Representative in the United Nations, Ambassador Tuvako Manongi, at the UN General Assembly, First Committee, debating on all disarmament, global challenges and international security. 

“Every September 26 of each year we commemorate International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. However, since the committee started discussing his issue there are no steps that have been taken to address the issue,” Ambassador Manongi said. 

He added that the world was witnessing states with nuclear weapons continuing with increasing the number of WMDs and using billions of dollars in improving them. 

“In Tanzania, disarmament and development are issues that are interrelated. The amount of money directed in military use could have contributed a lot in implementing SDGs objectives and it is for this reason that we see the importance of this committee,” he stressed. 

He said despite challenges in addressing the issues, Tanzania is confident in UN importance in controlling distribution of WMDs, including small and light arms. 

Aside from stressing that countries possessing such weapons have funds and long term plans to modernise their nuclear, Ambassador Manongi also used the opportunity to caution on the destruction and human loss that can be brought about by such weapons. 

He also talked on the importance of allowing countries that do not possess WMDs to be allowed to use nuclear technologies for positive outcomes, including on developmental issues for benefit of those nations. 

Ambassador Manongi also supports the Africa Nuclear Free Zone in which Tanzania is also a member. In another development, Tanzania has welcomed the establishment of the Technology Bank for Least Developing Countries, which aims at assisting the LDCs in using the right technology from developed countries. 

The revelations were made by Head Officer, Foreign Affairs, at the Office of the Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Songalieli Shilla, when contributing on behalf of Tanzania in the Second Committee of the assembly, when discussing cross cutting issues, including economy and development. 

He said establishment of the Technology Bank will greatly assist LDCs compete with developing nations.