The Republic of Zimbabwe will host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) International Conference and Summit of Heads of State and Government, from 19 to 23 May 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The summit will be held under the theme: “Transfrontier Conservation Areas-25 years of cooperation for regional integration and sustainable development.”
TFCAs are collaborative conservation efforts that span across national borders, designed to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of resources, and eco-tourism.
These initiatives hold significant importance for Zimbabwe and other SADC Member States covered by TFCAs, as they not only safeguard vital ecosystems and wildlife but also contribute to economic growth, enhance regional cooperation, and empower local communities.
This pivotal summit will bring together delegates from across the region, including Heads of State and Government from SADC Member States, traditional leaders, conservation partners, international organisations representatives, and experts from relevant sectors.
The primary objectives of the conference and summit are to strengthen political commitment to the TFCA Programme, promote investments in TFCAs, and enhance cross-sectoral integration for sustainable development.
The Joint Action “NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management in the SADC (C-NRM) Programme”, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is supporting the SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit and will actively participate in key sessions.
For many years, the development of TFCAs has been a major focus area of cooperation between SADC, the EU and Germany. The Joint Action builds on over 20 years of support to TFCAs through both technical and financial cooperation.
As part of the conference programme, the Joint Action will host a session focused on Tourism Development in TFCAs and SADC, as well as one on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Expected outcomes from the summit include the development of an action plan to support the SADC TFCA Programme, new binding agreements for establishing additional TFCAs, the signing of Joint Management Frameworks, and sustainable financing agreements between SADC Heads of State and Government and International Cooperating Partners.
Additionally, there will be a review of ongoing efforts to implement the SADC TFCA model of cooperation, reinforcing partnerships among SADC Member States.
Through this summit, SADC and TFCA partners aim to strengthen their collective commitment to preserving Southern Africa’s rich biodiversity and to creating a sustainable future for generations to come, especially for the SADC citizens, who are essential to the success of these conservation efforts and their beneficiary. Follow the conversation using
