Staff Reporter
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will gather in Harare next week for a landmark conference and summit on Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), bringing together regional leaders, conservation experts, and international partners to strengthen cross-border environmental protection and sustainable development.
From May 19 to 23, 2025, the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) will host delegates, including Heads of State, traditional leaders, and representatives from the European Union (EU) and Germany, to review progress and chart the future of TFCAs under the theme “Transfrontier Conservation Areas—25 years of cooperation for regional integration and sustainable development.”
TFCAs are critical collaborative initiatives that span national borders, designed to protect biodiversity, promote eco-tourism, and support local communities.
For Zimbabwe and other SADC member states, these conservation zones play a vital role in safeguarding ecosystems while driving economic growth and regional cooperation. The summit marks a significant milestone, reflecting on 25 years of the TFCA Programme and setting new priorities for the coming decades.
Key discussions will focus on securing political commitment, boosting investments, and enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration for sustainable development.
The EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are co-financing the event through the NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, which builds on over two decades of support for TFCAs.
Their participation will include specialised sessions on tourism development and disaster risk reduction, highlighting the intersection of conservation and climate resilience.
Among the expected outcomes are new binding agreements to establish additional TFCAs, joint management frameworks, and sustainable financing deals between SADC Governments and international partners.
The summit will also review ongoing efforts to implement the SADC TFCA cooperation model, reinforcing partnerships among member states.
“This pivotal summit underscores our collective commitment to preserving Southern Africa’s rich biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come,” the SADC Secretariat stated yesterday.
The event is seen as a crucial step in aligning conservation goals with regional economic and social development, particularly for communities living near TFCAs.
The EU and GIZ, Germany’s international development agency, have been long-standing supporters of SADC’s conservation initiatives.
Their continued involvement highlights the global importance of TFCAs in addressing climate change, promoting peace, and fostering economic stability.
As Zimbabwe prepares to welcome regional leaders, the conference is poised to shape the future of conservation and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
