The European Union (EU) has intensified its support for Zimbabwe’s climate resilience and biodiversity conservation efforts through the Nature Africa Programme, as the Government moves closer to accessing the US$60 million Nature Africa Fund earmarked for transfrontier parks across Southern Africa.
The development emerged during a courtesy call on the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, by the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Katrin Hagemann.
Government has finalised and submitted its national plans required to unlock the fund, which targets the protection of key biodiversity hotspots and strengthening climate adaptation mechanisms.
Ambassador Hagemann said the EU remains committed to working with Zimbabwe and the region in preserving natural ecosystems.
“The EU has been working with Southern African countries to enhance biodiversity preservation, and this meeting was important in discussing the modalities for accessing this critical fund. We are also working on community resilience programmes to support people in affected communities, particularly in vulnerable areas,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu welcomed the EU’s continued engagement in supporting Zimbabwe’s environmental and climate objectives.
“Our plans have been submitted, and we are pleased that the EU continues to support Zimbabwe in many areas of cooperation to advance its development goals,” she said.
Relations between Zimbabwe and the EU have steadily improved over recent years, culminating in the inaugural Zimbabwe–EU Business Forum, where several member states expressed readiness to invest in a range of economic sectors including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
The Nature Africa Programme is expected to further deepen this cooperation by enhancing Zimbabwe’s conservation capacity while supporting communities living around protected areas.
