Story by Memory Chamisa
ZIMBABWE is ready to welcome delegates for the first-ever Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas International Conference (TFCA) and Summit in Harare, running from May 19 to May 23.
The summit will bring together over 500 delegates from across the region, including SADC Heads of State and Government.
The first-ever conference is expected to strengthen political commitment to the TFCA programme and to promote investments in the TFCAs.
“Expected outcomes from the summit include the development of an action plan to support the SADC TFCA Programme, new binding agreements for establishing additional TFCAs, the signing of joint management frameworks and sustainable financing agreements between SADC leaders and international cooperating partners,” SADC’s Director Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Domingos Gove said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Ambassador Tedious Chifamba highlighted the significance of the summit for SADC countries.
“Since the launch of Africa’s first TFCA; the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) between Botswana and South Africa in 1999, the SADC region has made remarkable strides. Today, 13 TFCAs span terrestrial and marine environments, covering 1.2 million km, 7% of SADC’s land area, with each at varying stages of development. These achievements reflect the unwavering political will of regional leaders, who have signed numerous treaties, protocols, and memoranda of understanding to expand the TFCA network.
“Over the past 25 years, TFCAs have delivered transformative outcomes, such as Enhanced ecological connectivity through expanded conservation areas; Establishment of the TFCA Financing Facility to support programme implementation, successful joint law enforcement operations, underscoring cross-border political commitment and active community participation in TFCA governance.”
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Director General, Professor Edison Gandiwa noted the pivotal role of TFCAs in advancing sustainable ecological and wildlife development.
“This pivotal summit will bring together delegates from across the region, including heads of state and government from SADC member states, traditional leaders, conservation partners, international organisations representatives and experts from relevant sectors. These initiatives hold significant importance for SADC member states covered by TFCAs as they not only safeguard vital ecosystems and wildlife but also contribute to economic growth, enhance regional cooperation and empower local communities.”
The summit, themed “Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” will focus on the political, economic and environmental significance of TFCAs.
TFCAs are shared ecological zones across national borders that aim to conserve biodiversity, boost eco-tourism, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Expected outcomes include new agreements to expand TFCAs, joint management frameworks, and sustainable financing deals.
The summit is supported by the NaturAfrica/ Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management in SADC Programme, co-financed by the European Union and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
