MINISTERS from the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) have reaffirmed their commitment to regional collaboration by approving several key conservation and financial strategies during the latest ministerial committee meeting held in Livingstone, Zambia.
The meeting brought together representatives from Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to assess progress in managing the trans-boundary conservation area and to chart the next phase of joint action.
The ministers reviewed updates and endorsed frameworks aimed at strengthening co-ordination, safeguarding biodiversity and promoting sustainable development across the five partner States.
Outgoing chair Zambia’s Tourism minister Rodney Sikumba said the outcomes of the meeting reflected strong regional unity.
“Our progress reflects the strong partnership between our countries and our commitment to protecting biodiversity and support communities,” he said.
Zimbabwe officially took over the two-year chairmanship of the KAZA-TFCA from Zambia, reaffirming its commitment to regional conservation and sustainable development.
The handover comes as Zimbabwe pledges to strengthen co-operation, advance cross-border tourism and place conservation at the heart of its development agenda.
Environment, Climate and Wildlife minister Evelyn Ndlovu, who assumed the committee’s chairmanship, said the collaborative spirit within KAZA continued to inspire success.
- Zimcodd red flags wage erosion
- Village Rhapsody: Zimbabwe needs to reduce teen pregnancies
- Community trailblazers: Chipo Gozho: An inspiration to today’s women
- Global agency downgrades Zimbabwe’s growth projections
Keep Reading
“We are committed to working together to protect our natural heritage for future generations,” she said.
Among the strategies adopted was the updated Elephant Action Plan, which incorporates recommendations from the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey and the Elephant Movement and Connectivity policy brief.
The ministers also endorsed the Transboundary Human-Elephant Conflict Management Framework for the Zambezi-Mosi-oa-Tunya Wildlife Dispersal Area, focusing on cross-border co-ordination, community engagement and technical solutions.
Further approvals included a harmonised sampling protocol for field veterinarians and assistants, which now becomes part of the KAZA-TFCA Standard Operating Procedures and the establishment of a Carnivore Conservation Sub Working Group to align with the 2013 policy harmonisation proposals on species and related conservation groups.
The committee also received and welcomed unqualified financial statements for 2023 and the management report for the 2024 KfW Phase III grant.
Terms of reference for a Finance Experts Working Group were approved, and partner States reaffirmed their commitment to continue contributing to the KAZA Fund.
Botswana’s Environment and Tourism secretary Boatametse Modukanele also reaffirmed his country’s support to the establishment.
“Botswana will continue to support the KAZA secretariat to ensure programmes succeed,” he said.
The ministers noted progress in the implementation of memoranda of understanding with key partners, including the United Kingdom High Commission to Botswana and Sadc, ZAMCOM, WWF and the Wild Bird Trust.
They welcomed an upcoming collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to African Union and Sadc positions on issues of mutual interest and called for strengthened regional co-operation, unity of purpose and common regional positions in multilateral environmental agreements.
The meeting concluded with a shared pledge by all ministers to conserve the region’s rich biodiversity and ensure KAZA TFCA continues to deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
Under Zambia’s tenure, the KAZA TFCA made significant strides, including holding the inaugural KAZA Heads of State Summit in May 2024, securing a €5 million EU grant, conducting the world’s largest elephant survey, and launching major trans-boundary tourism initiatives.
