The Aga Khan Development Network in Tanzania marked the 62nd anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam's ascension to the Ismaili Imamat at a reception held at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The Government of Tanzania was officially represented by Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi.

“The friendship between the Ismaili Imamat and its institutions and the Government of Tanzania has been a long and constructive one, and our work here would be neither possible nor as effective without its support, the welcoming and enabling environment it has created, and its commitment to improving the quality of life for people in this country and the region,” AKDN Tanzania Resident Representative Amin Kurji, who hosted the event, said. “The government and the people of Tanzania have made substantial economic strides in recent years and they are to be congratulated for these achievements.”

For over a century, the AKDN has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Tanzanians in the areas of poverty alleviation, food security, education, health care, economic development and cultural restoration. The AKDN has been active in Tanzania since the opening of the first Aga Khan Girls School in Zanzibar in 1905.

The reception was attended by members of the diplomatic community, representatives of international organizations and civil society, members of the wider AKDN network in Tanzania and other honourable guests. Last year marked the conclusion of Mawlana Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee year, celebrating 60 years of Imamat worldwide. In Tanzania, this meant reaffirming AKDN’s commitment to continuing work in the social and economic development arenas, and continuing to strengthen its longstanding relationship with the Government of Tanzania.

The Resident Representative thanked Hon. Professor Kabudi for his presence at the reception, noting that it represented “the strong partnership between AKDN and the Government of Tanzania, together with our collective commitment to creating an enabling environment (for all) sectors of the economy, especially within the social development space.”

Both the Resident Representative and Hon. Minister Kabudi expressed their commitment to building the existing partnership between the AKDN and the Government of Tanzania and working to achieve improved quality of life for all Tanzanians.

“Tanzania wishes to overwhelmingly commend the effort and support of the Aga Khan Development Network in Tanzania and reiterates its commitment and support towards facilitation of the AKDN work in Tanzania,” Minister Kabudi said. “It is through this spirit of cooperation and engagement between us the implementation of the objectives for both Parties can be realized.”