Zimbabwe and Botswana have vowed to continue collaborating on environmental conservation issues, including efforts to combat poaching and illegal trade in wildlife species as well as promoting tourism activities in the two neighbouring countries.

The two countries issued a joint communiqué following the second session of the bi-national commission between Botswana and Zimbabwe held in Maun recently, highlighting that a substantial portion of land in both countries had been set aside for wildlife conservation.

The two countries also supported each other at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting over the lifting of the embargo on ivory sales.

Zimbabwe and Botswana are part of Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) which also covers Namibia, Angola and Zambia. Botswana is expected to join the Kavango-Zambezi (Kaza) uni-visa system this year.