Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) this week marked a significant milestone in its conservation and regional cooperation agenda, commemorating 25 years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs).

At a high-level Summit, delegates reflected on the successes and ongoing challenges in transboundary natural resource management, while laying out an ambitious vision for the future—one centred on human well-being and strengthened partnerships.

Held alongside the SADC TFCA International Conference, the Summit gathered over 500 delegates and more than 30 exhibitors, including government officials, international cooperating partners, NGOs, community leaders, academics, and conservation experts. The Government of Zimbabwe was lauded for hosting the landmark event, which served as a critical platform for reinforcing SADC’s environmental, conservation, and sustainable development goals.

“Summit congratulated the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe for successfully hosting the SADC TFCA International Conference which drew participation of over 500 delegates and over 30 exhibitors from a cross section of stakeholders including government officials, International Cooperating Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, Community leaders, Representatives of TFCAs, Academia and conservation experts,” said SADC executive secretary, Elias Magosi in a communique delivered at the end of the event on Friday.

The Summit acknowledged the outstanding value of TFCAs as powerful symbols of regional cooperation, peacekeeping, and sustainable development. Delegates emphasised the importance of deepened collaboration among stakeholders—from grassroots communities to international partners—to scale the impacts of TFCAs across and beyond the region, said Magosi.

He said tributes were paid to the pioneers of transboundary conservation in the region, notably His Excellency Dr. Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, and His Excellency Dr. Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa, whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for sustainable biodiversity conservation through TFCAs.

Member States and TFCA practitioners, said Magosi were urged to reinforce their collective efforts using established SADC instruments, aimed at enhancing the establishment, operationalisation, and long-term success of these cross-border conservation areas. Key calls to action included promoting equitable benefit sharing, strengthening youth and community engagement, and improving accountability in conservation initiatives.

Addressing increasing human-wildlife conflict, the Summit called for tailored, practical approaches involving all relevant conservation and development sectors. Delegates urged partners to support legislative and policy solutions that protect both human livelihoods and wildlife populations.

“Summit urged Member States to consider the development of tailor made, practical and effective approaches to address increased human wildlife conflicts involving all the relevant development and conservation sectors and urged partners to prioritise the development of solutions including legislation to address Human Wildlife Conflict in their support to the region,” said Magosi.

The international community was encouraged to recognise the progress made within SADC’s TFCAs, particularly in the context of influencing global decision-making platforms such as CITES, to promote the sustainable use of wildlife and improve local livelihoods.

Sustainable financing emerged as a central theme, with Member States encouraged to diversify funding streams through mechanisms like carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, eco-tourism, conservation bonds, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), to ensure the long-term viability of TFCAs.

The Summit also advocated for the expansion of coastal and marine TFCAs to support the implementation of the SADC Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan. This framework aims to sustainably harness the region’s coastal and marine resources for biodiversity conservation and economic development.

As the Summit concluded, it reaffirmed a collective commitment to TFCAs as cornerstones of environmental sustainability, regional unity, and socio-economic growth—driven by inclusive partnerships and inspired by 25 years of shared progress.