- The inaugural KAZA Summit of the Heads of State and Government was held on 31st May, 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia.
- Summit was chaired by His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia in his capacity as the Host.
- Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:
- Namibia: H.E. President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba
- Zambia: H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema
- Zimbabwe: H.E. President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
- Botswana: His Honour, Vice President, Mr. Slumber Tsogwane
- Angola: Hon Marcio de Jesus Lopes, Minister of Tourism 2
- Cabinet Ministers from KAZA Partner States, the Executive Secretary of SADC, the Executive Director of KAZA Secretariat, Senior Officials, Members of the Joint Technical Committee, invited members of the diplomatic corps attended the Summit.
- Summit was also attended by the following International Cooperating Partners, the Federal Republic of Germany; KfW, UNDP; international, regional, and local NGOs, private sector, and the media.
- Summit received an update on the progress made since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for KAZA in 2006, followed by the Treaty in 2011. Summit urged Member States to expedite the operationalization of the SADC CITES Engagement Strategy 2022-2026, to better defend the conservation, sustainable use, and socio-economic development interests of the region at CITES COP 20 to be held in Geneve in 2025.
- Summit considered options available within and outside CITES including diplomatic engagement, withdrawal, reservations, arbitration, and trading with non-CITES parties to benefit from wildlife, and wildlife products. KAZA Partner States were urged to fully prepare and participate at upcoming dialogue meeting planned for August 2024 in Botswana, including the holding at least two preparatory meetings to develop a Regional Common Position for CITES CoP 20.
- Summit also considered harmonization of ownership wildlife model within the KAZA region; and legal policy frameworks on Carbon Credit Trading, and forestry management, by 2030 in alignment with the SADC RISDP (2020 -2030), including a ban on exports of raw timber within KAZA region.
- Summit noted as matter of urgency need to expedite the approval of the of the KAZA TFCA Livelihoods Diversification Strategy and Climate Change Livelihood Focused Risk Assessment Strategy; work towards harmonizing the CBNRM policies and frameworks to ensure synchronized community benefits within the KAZA region, and implement the SADC Guidelines on Commodity Based Trade Beef (CBT) of beef in Foot and Mouth Disease endemic areas to support improved livestock husbandry practices, rangeland restoration and enable farmers to access beef markets, foster human wildlife co-existence and re-evaluation of fences as the primary disease risk management tool.
- Summit urged KAZA States to promote cross sectoral integrated land use planning for ease of coordination of development within the region, implement the policy brief recommendations as per approved Elephant Movement Policy Brief (October 2022 Ministers’ Committee), and embed conservation connectivity in development and area management plans.
- Summit noted the need of applying more widely the Strategic Environmental Assessment planning tool to economic and infrastructural planning processes use natural capital assessment and accounting to value KAZA’s natural assets, which includes need to establish Natural Capital Accounts in Partner States (where not already done so) and bankable nature based and green finance solutions.
- Summit called on KAZA States to consider joining the KAZA UNIVISA system, and immediately implement the KAZA Destination Brand. Summit further noted the need of establishing a mechanism for engagement by communities in the tourism value chain which needs to be reviewed to enable improved financial and non-financial benefits from the industry and diversify tourism products on offer at the in-country and transboundary scale. Enhance connectivity across the KAZA region through direct flights, efficient border management system, road, and air infrastructure.
- Summit commended and expressed its gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Botswana for allocating the piece of land in Kasane for the construction of the KAZA TFCA Secretariat, and further expressed its interest on strengthening the KAZA Secretariat thorough a joint resources’ mobilization for the construction of the KAZA Secretariat’s Office in Kasane, including the capitalization of the KAZA Fund. Summit also expressed the need to ensure that KAZA Fund contributions are paid timeously and use the KAZA Fund and KAZA Treaty provisions as a vehicle for long-term sustainable financing for KAZA TFCA Programs.
- Summit urged KAZA States create opportunities for sharing lessons and case studies in areas of wildlife economy, bankable sustainable finance solutions and sustainable finance solutions.
- The Host of the KAZA Summit, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, expressed gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for attending the Summit and for their presence, and political will in advancing the KAZA Vision.
