14 th Governing Council Bureau Meeting Adopts Major Institutional Reforms and Launches LATF Strategic Plan 2025–2030 to Strengthen Regional Wildlife Enforcement Cooperation
Nairobi, Kenya | 18–20 May 2026
The Bureau Meeting of the 14th Governing Council of Parties to the Lusaka Agreement concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, with Member States reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in combating transnational wildlife and forest crime across Africa. Convened at the Argyle Grand Hotel from 18–20 May 2026, the three-day meeting brought together representatives from the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania and Zambia, alongside strategic partners including UNEP, Freeland, WWF and IFAW.
The meeting reviewed the progress made by the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) in implementing decisions of the Governing Council, deliberated on institutional reforms aimed at modernising the regional enforcement mechanism, adopted key Bureau Decisions, and officially launched the LATF Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of growing global concern over the increasing sophistication of organised wildlife trafficking networks and followed the outcomes of the recently concluded 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES CoP20), which adopted far-reaching resolutions to strengthen wildlife enforcement, digital traceability systems, intelligence cooperation and coordinated international action against wildlife crime.
Major Institutional Reforms Adopted
A key milestone of the Bureau Meeting was the adoption of recommendations from the Technical Working Group on LATF Institutional Reforms, marking one of the most significant governance and operational reform processes undertaken by the Task Force in recent years. The reforms are intended to strengthen LATF’s institutional effectiveness, operational sustainability and regional ownership in responding to emerging wildlife crime threats.
Among the major reforms adopted were:
- Broadening eligibility criteria for the position of Director to qualified nationals from active Member States serving in wildlife, forestry, environmental enforcement and related government agencies;
- Establishment of structured tenure policies for the Director and Law Enforcement Officers, along with the creation of specialized roles in intelligence, investigations, operations and capacity building. Additionally, a revised LATF organizational structure has been adopted.
- Initiation of amendments to the Lusaka Agreement Final Act pursuant to Article 11, with the Republic of Zambia mandated to spearhead the amendment process in collaboration with the LATF Secretariat.
The Bureau appreciated that the reforms would strengthen merit-based leadership, enhance operational efficiency and position LATF to better address increasingly organised and technology-driven wildlife crime.
Strong Progress in Regional Enforcement Cooperation
The Bureau commended LATF for the significant progress recorded during the 2025/2026 financial year in strengthening regional enforcement cooperation, intelligence exchange and strategic partnerships.
Key achievements highlighted during the meeting included:
- Coordinated enforcement operations along the Congo–Nigeria trafficking corridor;
- Major ivory seizures in Kenya and Tanzania;
- Issuance of INTERPOL Red Notices targeting wildlife crime suspects;
- Implementation of Operation “Watching U”; and
- Expansion of bilateral and regional cooperation initiatives among Member States.
The meeting further acknowledged the expansion of partnerships with regional and international organisations including Freeland, WWF, JICA, ASEANAPOL and the Italian Carabinieri in supporting intelligence-led enforcement, operational coordination, training and institutional development.
The Bureau also noted progress on strategic technology and infrastructure initiatives, including the Wildlife Enforcement Management System (WEMS), establishment of the Regional Command and Coordination Centre (RCCC) and ongoing Kenya–Japan cooperation towards the development of LATF headquarters infrastructure.
High-Level Ministerial Segment Endorses Bureau Decisions
The High-Level Segment, chaired by the President of the 14th Governing Council and Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Ashatu K. Kijaji, MP formally adopted the Bureau Decisions covering institutional reforms, LATF reports, statutory contributions, programme of work and budget for the financial year 2026/2027, and expansion of membership to the Lusaka Agreement.
The Ministers and Heads of Delegation reaffirmed their commitments to the treaty reiterating that strengthened regional solidarity and fulfillment of their obligations would ensure that LATF continues to serve as Africa’s premier regional enforcement mechanism against illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.
Launch of the LATF Strategic Plan 2025–2030
A major highlight of the Ministerial Session was the official launch of the LATF Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which provides a comprehensive roadmap for the organisation’s strategic growth and operational priorities over the next five years. The Plan is anchored on the vision “An African continent free from transboundary crimes related to wild flora and fauna” and the following four (4) strategic goals:
- Fostering Cooperation and Collaboration
- Strengthening LATF’s operational capacity
- Advancing Advocacy, focussed on strengthening wildlife and forest conservation laws and enforcement mechanisms in the region
- Strengthening LATF’s institutional sustainability.
The President of the 14th Governing Council, Dr. Ashatu K. Kijaji, MP underscored the importance of collective regional action in safeguarding Africa’s biodiversity and natural heritage. “The decisions adopted by the Bureau reaffirm the collective resolve of Member States to strengthen regional cooperation, modernise LATF and safeguard Africa’s biodiversity. The launch of the Strategic Plan reflects our shared commitment to building a resilient and effective regional enforcement mechanism capable of responding to emerging wildlife crime threats”, she affirmed.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director of LATF, Mr. Edward Phiri, described the outcomes of the Bureau Meeting as a defining moment for the institution. “The resolutions of this Bureau Meeting mark a significant turning point for the Lusaka Agreement Task Force. The reforms adopted and the launch of the Strategic Plan 2025–2030 provide a stronger institutional foundation for LATF to confront increasingly sophisticated wildlife crime networks through enhanced intelligence sharing, strategic partnerships and coordinated cross border enforcement operations across Africa.”, he stated.
Looking Ahead
The Bureau directed the LATF Secretariat to implement the approved reforms, boost fundraising, help expand membership, and report on progress at the 15th Governing Council Meeting to be held in May 2027 in Brazzaville, Congo.
As CITES CoP20 outcomes take effect worldwide, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force remains committed to strengthening regional enforcement, improving intelligence-led operations and supporting Member States in curtailing transnational wildlife crime.
