https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sadc-tfca-calls-collective-voice-cites-conservezim-conservezim-82ysf/?trackingId=k8AxOZJ092azXw30eMGJcA%3D%3D SADC TFCA Calls For a Collective Voice at CITES John Cassim Southern African countries have been urged to speak with one voice regarding the lifting of the ivory trade ban on countries like Zimbabwe. Officials attending the Southern African Development Community – Transfrontier Conservation Area (SADC-TFCA)conference have made this call ahead of the CoP20, which will be held in November 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Zimbabwe argues that its elephant populations are growing by 5–8% annually (an unsustainable rate for available habitat) and has stockpiled about 130 tonnes of ivory (worth an estimated US$600 million). However, the international ban on ivory sales under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) remains in place, limiting revenue for conservation and fuelling debate on sustainable use. “The region should continue to advocate at CITES for decisions that recognize its successful elephant management, using its CITES Engagement Strategy,” urged Domingos Gove, Director of Food Agriculture And Natural Resources at the SADC Secretariat. “We oppose one-size-fits-all policies that disregard national wildlife conservation or management successes and local community livelihood considerations.” For more on this story follow us on the following platforms: ➡️www.conservezim.com ➡️Watch, like and follow Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@conservezim1459 ➡️X: https://twitter.com/ConserveZim ➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conservezim-conservezim ➡️Facebook: ConserveZim For advertisements contact: Mobile: 0772920301, 0719920301 Email: [email protected], [email protected]