The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has emphasized that enhanced cooperation among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states is vital for ensuring the sustainability and mutual benefits of transboundary conservation areas.
President Mwinyi made these remarks on May 23, 2025, during a high-level meeting of SADC Heads of State and Government held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The summit focused on strengthening transboundary conservation efforts across the region, with Dr. Mwinyi representing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The meeting also marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the regional Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) initiative, celebrating the progress made in cross-border environmental protection.
President Mwinyi stressed the need for national policies across member states to align with SADC’s regional frameworks particularly in areas such as carbon trading arguing that harmonized approaches and shared experiences are more effective than isolated national efforts.
He also highlighted SADC’s growing commitment to the joint conservation of oceans, wildlife, water resources, and forests, emphasizing the importance of the blue economy, which is a cornerstone of Zanzibar’s development strategy.
Moreover, President Mwinyi underscored the critical role of local communities, the private sector, development partners, stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations in achieving shared conservation goals.
He urged SADC member states to deepen collaboration and exchange best practices, pointing out that the successful management of transboundary conservation areas depends on genuine solidarity and collective action.
In his remarks, the SADC Chairperson and President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement in conservation efforts.
He noted that lasting success in preserving transboundary ecosystems requires the active participation of the people they affect.