LATF successfully hosts a side event at the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Livingstone – Zambia
The Lusaka Agreement Governing Council and LATF, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism and Arts of the Republic of Zambia successfully hosted a Side Event and Working Lunch on 27th August, 2013 at the Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia during the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe held from 24th – 29th August 2013. The theme of the Side Event was “The Lusaka Agreement: A Regional Approach to Combat Illicit Wild Fauna and Flora Trafficking for Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development in Africa”.
[pullquote align=”left”]”The Lusaka Agreement: A Regional Approach to Combat Illicit Wild Fauna and Flora Trafficking for Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development in Africa”[/pullquote]The event which attracted more than 100 participants, was graced by Her Excellency Dr. Charlotte Scott, wife of the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia and also ZAWA Board member who was flanked by Hon. Henri DJOMBO (MP) President of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council and Minister for Forest Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Congo and Hon. Sylvia Masebo (MP) Minister for Tourism and Arts of the Republic of Zambia and Rapporteur of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council.
Thereafter, the LATF team carried out further promotion of the Lusaka Agreement through which a stall was established within the exhibition centre where dossier on the Agreement and promotional materials were distributed to delegates.
The LATF team also seized the opportunity to participate in the KAZA round table talks held on 29th August 2013 at the Zambezi Sun Hotel to express its support to the initiative and similarly use it as an avenue to follow up on commitments made at the LATF Side Event held earlier for purposes of enhancing collaboration and further encouraging four of the five KAZA states (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) to join the Lusaka Agreement.
LATF takes this opportunity to sincerely thank Hon. Henri DJOMBO (MP) and Hon. Sylvia Masebo (MP) as well as all other dignitaries for making this event a success to the benefit of the African region and the Lusaka Agreement fraternity in particular. We also thank the entire team from the Ministry of Tourism and Arts of the Republic of Zambia and ZAWA for the warm hospitality and the support accorded during the organization and convening of LATF’s Side Event and Working Lunch. LATF also congratulates Zambia for successfully hosting the 20th UNWTO General Assembly.
LATF reiterates her call and urges all African states that have not done so to accede to the Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora.
Together we can transform and elevate this initiative to higher level towards meeting our common dream to reduce and eliminate poaching and illegal trade in natural and cultural resources for sustainable tourism and economic development in Africa.
