The KAZA Ministers about to unveil the KAZA TFCA plaque
Os Ministros do KAZA prontos a mostrarem a placa da ATFC do KAZA
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE KAZA TFCA
The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) was officially launched yesterday, 15th March 2012 in the Namibian town of Katima Mulilo. During the event, attended by various stakeholders, the KAZA TFCA partner states reaffirmed their commitment to regional economic integration through sustainable management of transboundary natural resources and tourism development. The Ministers were very clear in their speeches on the need to accelerate implementation of the KAZA TFCA programmes. They were also emphatic on delivering tangible benefits to the local communities. The communities in the region are invariably the owners of the natural resources and daily bear huge opportunity costs associated with biodiversity conservation such as Human Wildlife Conflicts.
The KAZA TFCA was formally established on 18th August 2011 when the Heads of States of the Republics of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe signed the KAZA Treaty at the SADC Summit in Luanda, Angola. The signing of the Treaty established, undoubtedly, the world’s largest and critical conservation landscape. Spanning over 444,000 Km2 and endowed with multiple natural resources, global tourist attractions and rich cultural heritage the region is poised to become a premier tourist destination. It is therefore not surprising that the KAZA Ministers in their strategic policy direction have selected tourism as the major driver of sustainable economic development for the TFCA.
Witnessing the event were several stakeholders from the partner countries and development partners that are supporting the KAZA TFCA. During the launch the partner states showcased the conservation programmes and tourism developments taking place in the region. On hand to provide entertainment to the guests were the cultural groups from the five partner states of the KAZA TFCA.
