SADC TFCA Summit: conservationists meet to advance transboundary biodiversity conservation

(Harare, Zimbabwe – May 18, 2025) — Government representatives from 16 Southern African countries meet in Zimbabwe this week for the 25th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Conference and Heads of State Summit.  

The Summit marks 25 years of TFCA implementation across the region. It is a platform for SADC Member States to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the region’s rich natural heritage, including over 300,000 elephants that roam across the shared landscapes. 

The high-level event aims to secure stronger political and financial commitments to elevate TFCAS's role in promoting biodiversity conservation, regional integration, and sustainable development. 

Bringing together decision-makers, technical experts, and conservation leaders, the event will address urgent threats to the region’s biodiversity, including climate change, habitat loss, and the significant conservation funding gap: 

• Strengthening cross-border biodiversity protection. 
• Delivery of socio-economic benefits to rural communities. 
• Improving cooperation between countries. 

“IFAW is proud to be associated with the high-profile regional conference and summit and is excited to contribute to the discussions aimed at enhancing transboundary collaboration and securing a better future for wildlife and people in a wildlife-rich region,” says IFAW Africa Director James Isiche.  

“At IFAW, we strongly believe that TFCAs are a powerful tool to foster peace, regional integration, and most importantly, ensure the persistence of migratory species such as elephants,” he added.  

IFAW works closely with Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to advance the biodiversity goals outlined in the SADC TFCA Programme 2023–2033, which was endorsed by the SADC Environment Ministers in 2024.  

As part of this commitment, IFAW is implementing its Room to Roam initiative to secure, connect, and protect habitats, creating safe corridors for wildlife to move freely across their natural ranges. 

ENDS 

Hightail Link with pictures: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/og9splkouV 

Press Contacts: 

Luckmore Safuli  
Communications Officer, Southern Africa 
m: +263 77 252 7736  
e: lsafuli@ifaw.org 

Christina Pretorius 
Director, Communications Africa 
m: +27 82 330 2558 
e: cpretorius@ifaw.org