KAZA Summit

30th May, 2024 International Relations

KAZA Summit

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Context:

More than 400 delegates gathered in Livingstone, Zambia, for the inaugural Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Summit.

Details:

Summit Objectives:
- Assess the progress made since the establishment of the KAZA-TFCA.
- Review the implementation of the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2011 KAZA Treaty.
- Seek renewed commitment from current leaders for regional cooperation and further development.
Theme and Issues:
- The summit's theme: “Leveraging KAZA’s natural capital and cultural heritage resources as catalysts for inclusive socio-economic development of the eco-region.”
- Emphasis on managing wildlife resources to benefit local communities.
- Ensuring KAZA becomes and remains the best-managed conservation area globally.
Technical Team Discussions:
- Initial meetings detailed the health of the KAZA rangeland, the most wildlife-populated in the world.
- Discussions included wildlife conservation, management, and community benefits.
Ministerial and Presidential Meetings:
- Ministerial meetings followed the technical sessions.
- Presidents of the five countries are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the initiative.
Participants:
- Delegates from Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Wildlife, conservation, and tourism experts attended the event from May 27-31.

The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA)

It is a 520,000 square kilometer area that spans the Kavango and Zambezi river basins in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It's the world's largest Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) and is roughly the size of France.

●It is a wetland paradise with a high concentration of wildlife, including the largest elephant population.

●The region comprises 103 wildlife management areas and 85 forest reserves.

●Contains three World Heritage sites: Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, and Tsodilo Hills.

●The KAZA TFCA includes 36 protected areas, such as national parks, game reserves, forest reserves, community conservancies, and game management areas. The area is home to the Okavango Delta, a World Heritage Site and the largest inland delta in the world, where large numbers of megafauna migrate annually.