Our primary goal is to represent our country’s position and to promote our objectives within the United Nations bodies. In addition we are also charged with the implementation of Tanzania’s Foreign Policy.

Tanzania’s Foreign Policy manifests itself in active international engagement. Our foreign policy is based on the following principles:

• Safeguarding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the United Republic of Tanzania
• Defence of freedom, justice, human rights, equality and democracy
• Promotion of good neighborliness
• Promotion of African Unity
• Promotion of deeper economic cooperation with our development partners
• Support for the practice of the policy of non-alignment and South-South Cooperation
• Support for the UN in its search for international economic development, peace and security
• Support for the struggles against colonialism, racism and neo-colonialism
• Support for the oppressed people in the world
• Promotion of the respect for the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states

Tanzania became a member of the United Nations on 14th December 1961. It should be however noted that Tanganyika was a member of the United Nations from 14 December 1961 and Zanzibar was a Member from 16 December 1963. Following the ratification on 26 April 1964 of Articles of Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar continued as a single member, changing its name to the United Republic of Tanzania on 1 November 1964.

The United Republic of Tanzania participates in the following principal organs of the United Nations:

• General Assembly
• Security Council
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

The United Republic of Tanzania is currently a member in the following organizations of the United Nations:

• United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) 2004-2007
• United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR)
• World Food Programme (WFP)
• United Nations Educational
• Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2001-2005
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2002-2006
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 2002-2006

The United Republic of Tanzania has been a member in the following United Nations organizations:

• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 1976-1979, 1991-1994
• United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 1998-2000
• Global Environment Facility (GEF) 1996
• International Labour Organization (ILO) 1975-1978, 1987-1990, 1999-2000
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 1969-1971, 1979-1982,1985-1988, 1991-1993
• United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT) 2001-2004
• World Health Organization (WHO) 1975-1978, 1993-1996
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 1977-1980, 1983-1995
• Universal Postal Union (UPU) 1989-1999
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) December 2003
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) March 2004
• International Development Association (IDA) May 2004
• International Finance Corporation (IFC) March 2004
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 1978-1980