FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST 2001, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA: Today South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa, and his Namibian counterpart, Minister of Environment and Tourism Philemon Malima, signed a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for the establishment of a transfrontier conservation park (TFCP) in the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld area.

"Our countries recognise that the Namib is a shared ecosystem, and that by improving its ecological management we will realise sustainable economic development in this area. It is in this context that the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld TFCP is a must for us. It builds on the vision of improving the conditions of the lives of our people in the southern African region," Minister Moosa said as he expressed South Africa's joy at this positive development.

The sub-theme of transfrontier conservation areas seeks to build on emerging initiatives that seek partnerships across countries in southern Africa and Africa to boost conservation and tourism, and thereby create jobs. It follows hot on the heels of the adoption of the Africa Initiative. The latter recognises that a healthy and productive environment is a prerequisite for the African Initiative, and that a range of issues must be addressed to nurture this vast and complex environmental base. Also highlighted is that a systematic combination of initiatives is necessary in order to develop a coherent environmental programme.

In endorsing the initiative on behalf of Namibia, Minister Malima said: "The Ai-Ais Richtersveld TFCP is putting into practice the SADC's vision of shared resource management and conservation, which will lead to the economic development of the southern African region."