UN reassures Tanzania's Zanzibar of its continued development support

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) in Tanzania on Wednesday pledged its continued support to the Zanzibar archipelago toward the implementation of development projects.

Alvaro Rodriguez, the UN resident coordinator for Tanzania, made the assurance to Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein during talks at Zanzibar's State House, said a statement issued by the Zanzibar presidency.

Rodriguez said all development projects being implemented by UN agencies on the islands aimed at raising the welfare of the people will continue to be undertaken, according to the statement.

The statement said Rodriguez went to Zanzibar to bid farewell to President Shein at the end of his diplomatic stint in Tanzania.

He said the UN is impressed by economic reforms being undertaken by Shein's administration, saying UN agencies are optimistic that the reforms will improve economic growth in Zanzibar in the years ahead, said the statement.

The UN coordinator said the UN will continue supporting Zanzibar in the implementation of development projects in various areas, including education, health, good governance, environmental protection and the fight against gender violence, according to the statement.

Rodriguez said he looks forward to continued implementation of the UN-Zanzibar Joint Program for 2018-2021 that focuses on addressing maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and coordination on the implementation of the UN's sustainable development goals, said the statement.

For his part, President Shein thanked the UN for its development support to Zanzibar that focuses on improving the living standards of the people, according to the statement.