Letter from President Julius Nyerere to UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim

“Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim… is instructed to represent the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in all organs of the United Nations.” – President Julius Nyerere to UN Secretary General Kurt Waldehim, April 21, 1978

In April 1978, Julius Nyerere formally notified the United Nations that Salim Ahmed Salim had been appointed as Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the organization.

As outlined in the letter, Dr. Salim was authorized to represent the Government of Tanzania across all UN bodies and to designate substitutes when necessary. He was also empowered to sign international agreements concluded under the auspices of the United Nations on behalf of Tanzania.

The following year, in 1979, he was elected President of the Thirty-Fourth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming one of the youngest individuals to hold that position.