The five member countries of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA FCA) have vowed to remain committed to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.

The ministers responsible for tourism from the five member countries, namely Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola, made these remarks during the 13th ministerial committee meeting, held at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region on Thursday.

“To this end, through our secretariat, we are advancing works on tourism branding and corporate identity, destination marketing activities and establishment of the great KAZA birding route, which, among others, will help us to better undertake the joint marketing of KAZA TFCA,” reads the joint ministerial statement.

The ministerial committee also vowed to continue working tirelessly to identify opportunities and implement measures that will benefit local communities from the member countries. 

In his speech, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta called on member countries to continue providing political leadership in all matters related to the development and management of KAZA TFCA.

“We should provide overall policy guidance and direction on all matters related to the TFCA development, ranging from stakeholder consultation and engagement to natural resources management, socio-economic matters, tourism development and other matters as appropriate,” said Shifeta.

At the same occasion, Namibia handed over the chair of KAZA TFCA to Zambia. 

In his acceptance speech, Zambia’s minister of tourism Rodney Sikumba thanked Namibia for providing good leadership for the past two years, despite the constraints of Covid-19, and vowed to continue doing the same.

“As Zambia assumes the chair, I wish to assure you, fellow ministers, that we shall maintain this trajectory and ensure the KAZA structures keep playing their respective roles effectively,” said Sikumba.