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Updates from the United Republic of Tanzania

URT Updates

Updates from the United Republic of Tanzania

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Dr. Ashatu Kijaji Chairs Regional Lusaka Agreement Meeting on Combating Wildlife Crime in Africa

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The Chairperson of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council and Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Ashatu Kijaji (MP), chaired the 14th Bureau Meeting of the Governing Council of the Lusaka Agreement on May 20, 2026, in Nairobi. The meeting focused on strengthening joint regional operations against transnational wildlife and forestry crimes.

The high-level session brought together member states including Tanzania, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Liberia with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation in combating poaching and the illegal trafficking of natural resources.

The meeting follows resolutions adopted during the 14th Governing Council Meeting of the Lusaka Agreement held in Arusha in May 2025, where member states agreed on institutional and administrative reforms aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Agreement Secretariat in addressing transnational environmental and wildlife crimes.

During the session, delegates reviewed progress reports on the implementation of previous resolutions, alongside an assessment of the Secretariat’s activities covering the period from May 2025 to April 2026. The discussions aimed at further strengthening the institution’s capacity to coordinate regional enforcement operations against cross-border wildlife and forestry crimes among member states.

Hon. Ashatu Kijaji was accompanied by the Director of Wildlife, Dr. Alexander Lobora, Assistant Director for Anti-Poaching Operations, Mr. Ezekiel Goboro, as well as experts from the Ministry and conservation institutions including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Tanzania National Parks Authority and Tanzania Forest Services Agency.

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From Anti-Poaching to Global Awards: Tanzania Reinforces Its Standing as Africa’s Tourism Powerhouse

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