New york: 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.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Africa Keystone Partnership advocates for the protection of some 162 additional areas in Africa. The President highlighted that these areas have been identified based on irreplaceability, connectivity, ecological integrity, and resilience. While some of these areas are already supported by African Parks, they all face funding and resource gaps. He emphasized the need for further dialogue to address these challenges.
President Ramaphosa also reflected on South Africa's conservation efforts in the Southern African region, noting the country's reputation as a leader in sustainable and responsible nature conservation. Over the past 25 years, the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Programme has had a transformative impact on conservation, regional integration, and sustainable development.
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), and Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Areas (Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe). These areas serve as critical ecological corridors, enabling the free movement of wildlife and preserving biodiversity across borders.
President Ramaphosa emphasized that investments in conservation economies have created jobs, improved livelihoods, and empowered local communities to become stewards of their natural heritage. He noted that these parks succeed when led by Africans and benefit the people living near them, symbolizing unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility among nations.
The President expressed confidence that the 162 earmarked areas will serve the same noble purpose, urging continued championing of this model of conservation, integration, and development for the benefit of people, ecosystems, and future generations.