Tanzania is set to host the 14th Governing Council Meeting of the Parties to the Lusaka Agreement, which will take place in Arusha at the Gran Meliá Hotel, starting May 8, 2025.
The announcement was made today, May 7, 2025, by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, during a press conference in Arusha.
“We are gathered here today to appeal to the media to help convey an important message to Tanzanians about this significant and unique conference on wildlife and forest conservation. This conference is set to take place in our country, particularly in the tourism city of Arusha,” said Minister Chana.
Dr. Chana highlighted that this meeting is held every two years, with the most recent session taking place in Zambia in March 2022.
She went on to explain that the Lusaka Agreement’s Governing Council was established in 1994 with the aim of enabling African countries to cooperate in combating poaching and the illegal cross-border trade of wildlife products, including forest resources.
Tanzania joined the Lusaka Agreement in 1999 and has since worked closely with member states such as Congo-Brazzaville, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, and Zambia to implement its objectives.
“Through the Lusaka Agreement, Tanzania has benefited in numerous ways, particularly in the exchange of vital information related to wildlife and forest crimes,” Minister Chana stated.
She also noted that Tanzania has made strides in addressing wildlife and forest crime, including dismantling illegal poaching networks, conducting operations and patrols, and providing training to law enforcement and conservation officers.
During the 14th Governing Council Meeting, attendees will receive a report on the implementation of the resolutions from the 13th Council Meeting and will approve the five-year strategic plan for the Lusaka Agreement (2025-2030).
In addition, Tanzania will take over the presidency of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council for the next two years from the Minister of Natural Resources from Kenya.
Minister Chana emphasized that hosting this important event in Arusha provides an excellent opportunity to promote Tanzania’s tourism sector, foster business growth, and enhance regional and international efforts to combat poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife and forest products.
According to the rules of procedure for the Governing Council meetings, the event is expected to be attended by approximately 19 Ministers responsible for natural resources and environmental affairs from across Africa, along with representatives from international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), INTERPOL, and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
For its part, the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, together with its affiliated institutions under the National Bureau, will also actively participate in the event.