Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
President Cyril Ramaphosa has championed transfrontier conservation areas as a model that can foster African intra-governmental unity and boost tourism while safeguarding biodiversity across boundaries. The President addressed the launch of the Africa Keystone Partnership held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York.
“Nature knows no political barriers and we are united in a shared commitment to preserve nature for present and future generations. Nature is an intrinsic part of our cultural and social identity. It is vital to human well-being and progress,” he said. The Africa Keystone Partnership advocates for the protection of some 162 additional areas in Africa.
“The 162 areas in Africa that are suggested for additional protection have been identified based on irreplaceability, connectivity, ecological integrity and resilience. Some of these areas are already supported by African Parks. However, all have funding and resource gaps. We have therefore come here to listen to the proposals on the African Keystone Partnership and to say that we are keen on further dialogue,” he said. The President reflected on South Africa’s own conservation efforts in the Southern African region.
“As South Africa, we have a proud reputation as a leader in sustainable and responsible nature conservation, as is our duty as one of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries. Over the past 25 years, in the Southern African region, we have undertaken a remarkable journey and witnessed the many achievements of our Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Programme. These wildlife areas that have been established across national borders have a transformative impact on conservation, regional integration and sustainable development,” President Ramaphosa said.
Expanding further on the TFCA Programme, the President said these areas have also sparked additional benefits with the idea being: “Nature knows no borders.” The TFCAs in Southern Africa include:
•|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Namibia and South Africa).
•Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe).
•Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa).
Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Areas (Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe).
“The Transfrontier Conservation Areas serve as critical ecological corridors, enabling the free movement of wildlife and preserving biodiversity across borders. These areas have unlocked sustainable tourism opportunities.
“Investments in conservation economies have created jobs, improved livelihoods and empowered local communities to become stewards of their natural heritage. These parks succeed when they are led by Africans and benefit the people who live near the parks. Such parks symbolise unity, cooperation and shared responsibility among our nations,” President Ramaphosa said.
He expressed confidence that the 162 earmarked areas will serve the same noble purpose. “Let us continue to champion this model of conservation, integration and development for the benefit of our people, for our ecosystems and for future generations,” President Ramaphosa said.
