It is now 10 years on since the signing of the KAZA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the five partner countries on 7 December 2006 at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and five years since the signing of the KAZA Treaty in Luanda, Angola on 18 August 2011, both crucial milestones in its path to establishment. It is thus a timely juncture to (i) reflect and highlight the progress made against set objectives in the Treaty, (ii) consider the elements of success that can be replicated, (iii) acknowledge challenges that KAZA has faced in meeting its promise thus far and identify mechanisms to mitigate these, (iv) assess the impact of KAZA’s establishment on the people and biodiversity within its borders, and (v) map the way forward. This assessment shall be profiled through a comprehensive State of KAZA Report, which will be strongly augmented and informed by a complementary State of KAZA Symposium. To this end, the State of KAZA Symposium is being organized and hosted by the KAZA partner countries, through its Secretariat, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 31 October to 2 November 2016 with technical, logistical, organisational and financial support being offered by partner organisations, specifically the AHEAD Programme, Peace Parks Foundation and WWF-Namibia. The symposium will seek to: 1. Celebrate KAZA’s 10 years of existence and showcase its achievements; 2. Demonstrate progress towards attainment of the objectives of KAZA as listed in the Treaty and its impact thus far; 3. Highlight what is working well and why, and possibilities of replicating these successes; 4. Highlight what is not working well and why, and possible remedial actions; 5. Harness recommendations for future direction; and 6. Provide a platform for engagement and collaboration for KAZA stakeholders.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
KAZA TFCA Partner Countries through its Secretariat