Southern African countries, meeting in Harare under the umbrella of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have opened an international conference focused on transboundary conservation of their ecosystems. With the participation of 500 delegates from all over the world and representatives of the 16 member states, the meeting celebrates 25 years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), a pioneering model that has seen its coverage grow from 35,000 to one million square kilometres since 1999. The event highlights these areas not only as nature reserves, but also as ecological and economic corridors that promote regional integration and sustainable development.
The conference addresses key issues such as strengthening political commitment, signing binding agreements, attracting investment and improving the inclusion of rural communities in the benefits of conservation. With the backing of international partners such as Germany and the European Union, which have invested more than 300 million euros in these initiatives, the TFCAs are consolidating their position as a global benchmark in combining environmental diplomacy and economic cooperation. The summit will culminate on 23 May with the participation of heads of state, underlining the strategic relevance of the event for the future of the region.
Source: Agencia EFE 19/05/2025