SADC TFCA Summit sparks renewed commitment to transboundary conservation

(Harare, 23 May 2025) - The 2025 SADC TFCAs Conference and Summit has concluded with conservationists from 16 Southern African countries resolving to strengthen collaboration in advancing the role of transfrontier conservation areas in promoting biodiversity conservation, regional integration, and sustainable development.

The week-long conference, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the theme “Transfrontier Conservation Areas: 25 years of cooperation for regional integration and sustainable development,” attracted over 400 conservationists, policymakers, implementing partners, and community representatives to reflect on the progress made in implementing the TFCAs programme.

In concluding remarks, SADC Chairperson and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, urged the member states to build upon the successes registered over the past 25 years and ensure that people benefit from ongoing conservation efforts.

“Our strategies must continue to place communities at the centre of every initiative, not only as stakeholders, but as co-creators and primary beneficiaries,” he said.

The delegates who graced the landmark gathering resolved to:

• Strengthen the meaningful and active participation of communities, including youth, in TFCAs
• Consider the development of tailor-made, practical, and effective approaches to address the increased human-wildlife conflict cases.
• Embrace innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for the TFCAs by diversifying funding sources such as the carbon markets.
• Strengthen the implementation of the SADC Law Enforcement Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy as an effective tool for the region’s efforts to tackle wildlife crime.

IFAW Africa Director James Isiche described the high-level gathering as a huge success.

“We are pleased to have participated in discussions that addressed both the achievements and challenges of managing transboundary natural resources in this wildlife-rich region. The gathering also provided a valuable platform for networking with like-minded conservationists and showcasing our work under the Room to Roam initiative,” he said.

“What is clear from the deliberations during the conference is that there is a need for multi-sectoral cooperation to advance the role of TFCAs in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation,” he added.

ENDS

Press Contacts:

Luckmore Safuli
Communications Officer, Southern Africa
m: +263 77 252 7736
e: lsafuli@ifaw.org

Christina Pretorius
Director, Communications Africa
m: +27 82 330 2558
e: cpretorius@ifaw.org