Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba says Zambia is ready to host the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Heads of State Summit scheduled to be held on 31st May, 2024 in Livingstone.
Mr Sikumba says five Heads of State from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Namibia are expected to attend the summit.
The minister was speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today.
Mr Sikumba said the objective of the summit is to review and track progress in the establishment and development of the TFCA since the formation of the partnership through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2006, which culminated into the KAZA TFCA Treaty of 2011.
He further said the Summit will aim at reaffirming high level political commitment to regional cooperation and integration in further development of KAZA.
Mr Sikumba disclosed that 400 delegates who include key policy makers and technocrats from partner states, SADC, and representatives of international cooperating partners and other stakeholders are expected to attend the summit.
“The Summit will be preceded by two days of technical deliberations and a Minister’ session. In line with the Summit theme, deliberations will include strategies on sustainable management and utilization of the landscape’s natural, cultural and heritage resources to drive inclusive socio-economic progress for the estimated 3 million residents while fostering regional cooperation among the Partner States,” he explained.
And speaking at the same event, KAZA Secretariat Executive Director, Nyambe Nyambe said KAZA is one of the largest transboundary conservation areas globally, covering about 520 thousand square kilometres.
Dr Nyambe said there is need to reset priorities in areas such as human-wildlife conflict, natural resources management and wildlife development, infrastructure and tourism development.
KAZA represents a significant conservation and tourism initiative in Southern Africa, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts, sustainable practices, and community engagement in preserving natural heritage and promoting socio-economic development across borders.
The Summit will be held under the theme “Leveraging KAZA’s natural capital and cultural heritage resources as catalysts for inclusive socio-economic development of the eco-region.”