The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) took a historic step with it’s first-ever Heads of State Summit held in Livingstone, Zambia. The gathering addressed critical issues related to conservation, border control, and human-wildlife conflict.
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, a prominent figure among the attending leaders, proposed a bold initiative: “Non-Stop Border Posts.” This technology-based system aims to reduce corruption and expedite movement within the vast KAZA territory. Imagine seamless travel between the five member countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – a prospect that could significantly boost tourism and regional integration.
Conservation remained a central theme throughout the summit. Both President Hichilema and SADC (Southern African Development Community) Executive Secretary Elias Magosi underscored the urgency of protecting KAZA’s irreplaceable natural resources and wildlife populations. Hichilema called for a definitive end to poaching, a persistent threat to the region’s ecological balance. He further emphasized the importance of collaborating on mitigating climate change through effective conservation efforts in KAZA.
The summit was about more than just big ideas. Dr. Nyambe Nyambe, Executive Director of KAZA, lauded the occasion as an important milestone, ushering in a new age of cooperation and success for the initiative. Magosi of SADC, on the other hand, provided a balanced perspective. While lauding KAZA’s performance as a model for future Transfrontier Conservation Areas, he urged member governments to emphasize human safety alongside wildlife conservation. The continuous issue of human-animal conflict deserves urgent attention.
Zambian Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba, who chairs the KAZA Ministers’ Council, echoed this sentiment. He emphasized the need for collaboration and a shift towards a complementary approach. By leveraging each other’s strengths and addressing human-wildlife conflict, KAZA member states can truly unlock the initiative’s full potential and achieve its ambitious vision for a thriving Tran’s boundary conservation area.
The KAZA Summit acts as a springboard for the region’s future security, prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Hichilema’s plan for tech-driven boundaries, as well as the renewed emphasis on conservation, opens up interesting possibilities. However, as Magosi and Sikumba correctly stated, tackling human-wildlife conflict is critical to the long-term survival of KAZA. By working together and prioritizing both human and environmental well-being, KAZA member states can make their vision a reality.
