ZAMBIA has successfully handed over the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Zimbabwe will coordinate the KAZA TFCA programmes for the next two years ZAMBIA has successfully handed over the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) Chairpersonship to Zimbabwe as a coordinating country for KAZA TFCA programmes for the next two years commencing January 2013.
Chairing the KAZA TFCA Ministerial Committee meeting held at Court Yard Hotel in Livingstone, Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo said KAZA TFCA was a joint initiative among five governments namely Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
She noted that KAZA TFCA was a community based programme and added that the expectations of people are high.
Ms. Masebo stated that the impact of KAZA TFCA activities would not be measured by the multiplicity of meetings but delivery of tangible results.
She urged everyone playing a part in the implementation of KAZA TFCA activities to observe the highest levels of commitment and urgency.
And Ms. Masebo highlighted several achievements that Zambia had made during her tenure of office.
Among the achievements highlighted by the Minister was that of the development of the draft MOUs on Collaboration with other organisations in line with the KAZA TFCA stakeholder engagement strategy and KAZA TFCA treaty.
She also noted that during her tenure of chairpersonship Zambia achieved the finalisation of the KAZA TFCA Financial Sustainability Study (FSS) and the harmonisation of the policies on natural resource and tourism.
Ms. Masebo pointed out capacity building of implementing agencies through various training programmes; procurement, financial management and monitoring and evaluation as another notable achievement.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism and Arts revealed that although Zambia had handed over the Chairpersonship to Zimbabwe, Zambia would still continue to coordinate KAZA TFCA programme until the expiry of her term on December 31st 2012.
Ms. Masebo urged other KAZA TFCA member countries to give Zimbabwe all the support that she needs adding that Zambia has the confidence in her and that she will deliver.