Five SADC countries pilot tourism univisa

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola will pilot the SADC Tourism Univisa which is expected to boost intra-regional tourism, the bloc’s Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, has said.

In a communique released at the end of the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare yesterday, Mr Magosi said the univisa was part of the regional body’s efforts to promote regional tourism.

“Summit commended five Member States namely Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe for accepting to pilot the SADC Tourism univisa, a regional instrument which is expected to simplify travel and promote regional tourism within SADC countries to boost intra-regional tourism,” he said.

The univisa will allow foreign tourists to move between SADC states, and it is forecast that the region’s tourism industry will witness substantial growth.

Turning to the TFCAs, Mr Magosi said the Summit of Heads of State and Government had acknowledged their outstanding value as symbols of regional cooperation, peacekeeping and sustainable development and emphasised the need for continued strengthened collaboration among stakeholders to advance their impact at regional and international levels.

“Summit paid tribute to all pioneers of the Transfrontier Conservation Areas in SADC region including His Excellency Dr Festus Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana, and His Excellency Dr Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa, for paving the way towards sustainable conservation of the region’s biodiversity.

“Summit urged member states, partners and all the relevant TFCA Practitioners to continue with collaborative efforts to maximise the benefits of TFCAs, including using extensive regional instruments, approved by SADC member states, as part of the implementation of the SADC TFCA Programme, to strengthen the establishment and operationalisation of TFCAs.

“Summit urged member states to strengthen the meaningful and active participation of rural communities including the youth in TFCAs and stressed the importance of accountability to ensure equitable benefit sharing in fostering inclusive conservation efforts across the region’s TFCAs,” he said.

Mr Magosi said SADC member states had been urged to develop tailor-made, practical and effective approaches to address increased human-wildlife conflicts involving all the relevant development and conservation sectors.

In addition, relevant partners were also urged to prioritise the development of solutions including legislation to address human-wildlife conflict in their support to the region.

According to the Communique, member states should strengthen the implementation of the SADC Law Enforcement Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy as an essential tool for the region’s collective efforts in tackling wildlife crime, reinforcing the need for multi-level cooperation among member states, International Cooperating Partners and local communities in TFCAs.

“Summit urged the international community to recognise the successes made by TFCA’s work within the SADC region, including through influencing decision-making processes in CITES to promote sustainable use of wildlife in the region to continue supporting the livelihoods of local communities and increased conservation efforts,” Mr Magosi said.

Member Sstates were also directed to embrace innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs by diversifying funding sources such as carbon markets, biodiversity offsets and bonds, eco-tourism and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to ensure that TFCAs continue to deliver socio-economic and conservation benefits to the SADC region.

Summit urged member states to promote the establishment of coastal and marine resources.

The TFCAs were also urged to adequately implement the SADC Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan, a SADC regional framework that aims to promote sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, including fisheries, tourism, maritime transport and ports, and energy, to produce tangible and sustainable benefits to local communities, national and regional economies and biodiversity conservation with regional and international impacts.

The Summit called for the development of a Regional Carbon Market Framework and acknowledged that trading of Carbon Credits presents an opportunity for economic development, job creation and access to climate finance and a driver for change that can contribute to fight climate change impacts.

Zimbabwe is already making headway in that respect.

SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa was commended for successfully hosting the TFCA Summit of Heads of State and Government and for his leadership in galvanising regional efforts towards promoting regional integration, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering sustainable development.

On his part, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to all Heads of State and Government and their representatives for attending the SADC TFCA Summit and for the commitment shown towards biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and eco-tourism in the region.

“Summit expressed gratitude to the International Cooperating Partners for their continued support towards the establishment and implementation of the SADC TFCA Programme.

“Summit congratulated the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe for successfully hosting the SADC TFCA International Conference which drew the participation of over 500 delegates and over 30 exhibitors from a cross-section of stakeholders including government officials, International Cooperating Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, Community leaders, Representatives of TFCAs, Academia and conservation experts,” said Mr Magosi.

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