Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will from Monday to Friday next week host a major international conference and summit focused on Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in Harare.
The event will be held under the theme “Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 years of cooperation for regional integration and sustainable development.”
In a statement on Tuesday, SADC said the conference will serve as a platform to “strengthen political commitment to the TFCA Programme, promote investments in TFCAs, and enhance cross-sectoral integration for sustainable development.”
The summit is expected to attract Heads of State and Government from SADC Member States, traditional leaders, conservation partners, international organisations, and experts in various fields.
It marks 25 years of collaborative conservation efforts that aim to protect biodiversity across borders while promoting eco-tourism and sustainable development.
TFCAs are conservation zones that stretch across national boundaries, allowing countries to work together to protect ecosystems and wildlife.
“These initiatives not only safeguard vital ecosystems and wildlife but also contribute to economic growth, enhance regional cooperation, and empower local communities,” the SADC said.
The event is supported by the Joint Action “NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management in the SADC (C-NRM) Programme,” which is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It represents more than two decades of collaboration between SADC, the EU, and Germany in supporting TFCAs.
As part of the summit, the Joint Action will lead sessions on tourism development in TFCAs and disaster risk reduction.
Organisers are optimistic that the summit will produce tangible results, including “an action plan to support the SADC TFCA Program, new binding agreements for establishing additional TFCAs, the signing of Joint Management Frameworks, and sustainable financing agreements.”
The conference also aims to review ongoing efforts in the region and strengthen partnerships among SADC Member States.
“In doing so, SADC and TFCA partners hope to preserve Southern Africa’s rich biodiversity and create a sustainable future for generations to come, especially for the SADC citizens, who are essential to the success of these conservation efforts,” the SADC secretariat said.
New Ziana
