By Cathleen Muchena
Bulawayo – The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, delivered a keynote speech Monday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, marking the start of stakeholder consultations ahead of the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP 20).
The event, themed “Inclusive Integration of Sustainable Wildlife Trade into the Economic Landscape,” aimed to gather recommendations for Zimbabwe’s negotiating positions at the upcoming global summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scheduled for November 2025.
Zimbabwe’s Stance on Sustainable Use
Minister Ndlovu emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable wildlife trade, rejecting what she termed “one-size-fits-all” policies that disregard local conservation successes.
She highlighted the country’s elephant management model, which has maintained stable to increasing populations while generating revenue through regulated ivory and live animal trade.
However, she noted that overabundant elephant populations have exacerbated human-wildlife conflicts, resulting in loss of life and damage to crops and property.
The Minister criticized proposals at CITES CoP 19 in Panama that sought to uplist elephants and hippos to Appendix I (which bans commercial trade) and impose a zero quota on leopard hunting. Zimbabwe, alongside other pro-sustainable use nations, successfully resisted these measures.
She warned that similar proposals could resurface at CoP 20 and urged stakeholders to help shape Zimbabwe’s counterarguments.
Key Priorities for CITES CoP 20
Zimbabwe’s agenda for the upcoming conference includes:
Lifting Trade Restrictions: Advocating for the commercial trade of ivory stockpiles and live elephants to fund conservation efforts.
Community Involvement: Pushing for rural communities to have a voice in CITES decision-making processes.
Policy Reforms: Opposing the “precautionary principle” when it undermines sustainable development and sovereignty over natural resources.
Species Reclassification: Ensuring CITES Appendices reflect accurate conservation statuses, based on national data.
While Zimbabwe boasts healthy wildlife populations and intact habitats, Minister Ndlovu acknowledged ongoing threats such as poaching, illegal mining, habitat loss, and climate change. She credited collaborative efforts between the government and stakeholders for reducing illegal killings of key species.
The government is also finalizing reviews of the Wildlife Policy and the Parks and Wildlife Act to strengthen conservation frameworks. These updates aim to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
The Minister urged stakeholders to contribute recommendations for CITES CoP 20, emphasizing the need for national consensus.
“Our wildlife is not just an ecological asset but an economic driver,” she said. “We must guard it jealously while ensuring it benefits our people.”
The consultation marks a critical step in Zimbabwe’s preparations for the global summit, where it will advocate for policies balancing conservation with sustainable economic use.
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