The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit has commended five member states—Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe—for agreeing to pilot the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, a regional initiative designed to simplify travel and boost tourism across the bloc.
The UNIVISA, a unified visa system, aims to enhance intra-regional tourism by reducing bureaucratic hurdles for travelers visiting multiple SADC countries. The summit highlighted the program’s potential to stimulate economic growth through increased tourism activity.
In addition to tourism facilitation, the summit emphasized the need for stronger anti-poaching measures and wildlife crime enforcement. Member states were urged to reinforce the SADC Law Enforcement Anti-Poaching Strategy, recognizing it as a critical tool in combating illegal wildlife trafficking. The summit called for multi-level cooperation between governments, international partners, and local communities, particularly within Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs).
Another key focus was addressing human-wildlife conflicts, which have been on the rise. The summit encouraged member states to develop tailored, practical solutions, including legislative measures, to mitigate these conflicts while balancing conservation and community needs.
The resolutions underscore SADC’s commitment to regional integration, sustainable tourism, and wildlife protection, aligning with broader goals of economic development and environmental preservation.
