Lusaka Agreement Task Force

25/01/2026

16/11/2025

20/08/2025

The Lusaka Agreement Task Force is proud to champion the establishment of a Regional Command and Control Centre, an initiative designed to strengthen analytical capabilities and advance human-centered solutions to address the various conflicts impacting biodiversity conservation. Thank you Hon. Rebecca Miano and Ambassador Dr. PINDI Chana Tanzania’s Minister Natural Resources and Tourism for your leadership and commitment to the initiative!

21/06/2025

Strengthening Cross-Regional Action Against Wildlife and Forest Crime 🐘🌿

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) and the ASEANAPOL Secretariat in a show of cross-regional cooperation against transnational wildlife and forest crime signed an MoU which is an alliance between Africa and Southeast Asia, two regions deeply affected by the illicit trade in wild fauna and flora.

Together, we commit to:
🔹 Enhancing intelligence exchange
🔹 Supporting joint investigations
🔹 Strengthening enforcement capacity
🔹 Sharing best practices in tackling transnational wildlife trafficking

LATF expresses its sincere appreciation to Executive Director of ASEANAPOL Secretariat, Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan for his leadership, and to our partners at Freeland, Steve Galster, for their steadfast support in making this partnership a reality.

Wildlife crime knows no borders, and now, neither does our determination to stop it.

11/05/2025

🌍 From Arusha with Resolve: A Unified Front Against Wildlife and Forest Crime 🦏🌳
Last week, the 14th Governing Council Meeting of the Lusaka Agreement convened in Arusha, Tanzania, (from 6 - 8 May 2025) bringing together high-level representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and partners including UNEP, UNDP, UNODC, and AWF.
In a powerful show of regional solidarity, Parties reaffirmed their commitment to ending wildlife and forest crime, while advancing cooperative law enforcement, intelligence-sharing, and cross-border collaboration.
🔹 Hon. Rebecca Miano (Kenya) concluded her term with pride, celebrating major milestones like Kenya's formal allocation of land for LATF’s future HQ and Regional Command Centre.
🔹 Hon. Dr. Pindi H. Chana (Tanzania), incoming President of the 14th Governing Council, pledged to lead with purpose, calling for inclusive, tech-driven conservation efforts.
🔹 LATF Director Edward Phiri highlighted key achievements including institutional growth, financial integrity, and the newly adopted Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
This meeting marks a pivotal step forward in shaping a secure, united, and biodiverse Africa, driven by collective action, Pan-African ideals, and the enduring spirit of Ubuntu.

18/02/2025

We are pleased to share that today, we had a highly productive meeting with the Honourable Minister, Dr. Pindi Chana, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania. The discussions reaffirmed Tanzania’s strong commitment to tackling transnational wildlife crime and advancing regional conservation efforts.

A key outcome of the meeting was Tanzania’s confirmation as the host of the 14th Governing Council Meeting of Parties to the Lusaka Agreement, in line with the Governing Council’s decision. The Honourable Minister has directed that preparations commence immediately to ensure the successful convening of this crucial meeting in early May this year.

This Governing Council meeting will not only strengthen regional cooperation in wildlife law enforcement but will also mark the official launch of the 2025–2030 LATF Strategic Plan, setting the course for the next phase of our collective efforts in combating transnational wildlife crime.

Official notification on the hosting arrangements will soon be published on the Lusaka Agreement Task Force website, providing details on participation and logistical preparations. LATF remains committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania and all our partners to enhance cross-border collaboration in protecting Africa’s wildlife heritage.

28/10/2023

Proud moment as the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) hosted the Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife Ms Silvia Museiya at the closing ceremony of our regional capacity-building workshop. This gathering brought together enforcement officials from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, with a common goal: safeguarding our region's precious biodiversity for the benefit of our communities and prosperity.

The week long workshop, expertly organized by LATF and Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance (WITA), took place in Naivasha Kenya and was focused on equipping a multi-agency team of enforcement officers from Wildlife, Police and Forest departments with digital forensics and value chain investigation skills. The presence of the PS signified Kenya's unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the strengthening of partnerships with regional wildlife enforcement agencies.

Throughout the workshop, the four countries shared invaluable experiences in combatting wildlife and forest crimes, reinforcing trust, and fostering collaboration. Together, we're translating our plans into concrete action for the betterment of our planet and its people.

We deeply and highly appreciate the collaboration and partnership between WITA and Lusaka Agreement Task Force in upskilling and capacitating enforcement officials from the member states of the Lusaka Agreement
🌍🤝 Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance Kenya Wildlife Service

06/09/2023

Had the pleasure of meeting Dr Hassan Abbasi, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania during a recent courtesy call. We had engaging discussions about the Lusaka Agreement's important work. I shared exciting updates on the initiative to transform the Lusaka Agreement Task Force into an information hub to combat wildlife crime in the region. We also explored strategies to enhance the Task Force's engagement and membership outreach.

I'm grateful for the PS's commitment to supporting the Lusaka Agreement and increasing its visibility to the public. We ended on a high note, agreeing to a future meeting with the newly appointed Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Honorable Angela Kairuki, who also serves as the Vice President of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council. Exciting times ahead! 🌍🦁

06/09/2023

https://lusakaagreement.org/2023/09/05/fostering-cooperation-in-law-enforcement-for-the-sustainable-conservation-of-the-mara-serengeti-and-tsavo-mkomazi-ecosystems-kenya-and-tanzania/

August 30, 2023, Mombasa. Under the umbrella of the GEF 6 UNDP IWT Project titled "Combating Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trafficking through an Integrated Approach," led by the State Department for Wildlife in Kenya and its counterpart in Tanzania, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force facilitated the s...

20/08/2023

LATF participates at the 19th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), August 14 – 18 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

LATF is pleased to have participated at the 19th AMCEN meeting in Addis Ababa, where it fostered invaluable partnerships. In line with the theme of the Conference “Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa”, on the sidelines, we engaged in progressive discussions with key players in the conservation field.

🤝 Our team had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Elizabeth Mrema, who holds the esteemed positions of United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director at UNEP, along with Mr. Robert Wabunoha, UNEP's Regional Coordinator for Environment Governance at the Africa office. During this meeting, we discussed UNEP's vital role in promoting cooperative initiatives to tackle cross-border wildlife crimes. It's worth highlighting that the Lusaka Agreement, a significant milestone, was negotiated and signed with the support of UNEP.

🌿 Additionally, we had the honor to connect with Daudi Sumba, WWF's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, as we explored ways to enhance mutual support and collaboration in the critical realm of transboundary law enforcement against wildlife crimes. We also held a productive meeting with Dr. Akankwasah Barirega, the Executive Director of NEMA in Uganda among other dignitaries.

The Conference wraps up today (18th August) with Ministers of Environment from all 54 African Union member states who have come together to adopt pivotal decisions and resolutions that will shape the environmental landscape, undertake actions to benefit from Africa's critical minerals and fortify climate change adaptation efforts.

The AMCEN meeting reinforced our commitment to preserving our planet's natural treasures and safeguarding our wildlife and forest species. We look forward to building on these connections and working together to make a lasting impact🦏🌎

19/08/2023

WITA is excited to announce that the Executive Director of the Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance (WITA) and the Director of Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to join forces to combat transnational wildlife trafficking. This marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to strengthen the fight against wildlife crimes through enhanced training and resource sharing.

LATF is the Secretariat and Operational arm of the intergovernmental treaty known as Lusaka Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement Operations Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa. LATF facilitates cooperative activities among Party Nations and supports investigations, intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination and other efforts to combat wildlife and forest crime. Parties to the Agreeement include the Republics of Congo (Brazzaville), Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, the Kingdom of Lesotho, United Republic of Tanzania and Liberia. The Republics of Ethiopia, South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland are signatories to the Agreement.

The MOU signed between LATF and WITA promises a dynamic collaboration that will have a profound impact on wildlife conservation efforts. The core objectives of this agreement include providing rigorous training programs in value chain investigations and evidence collection techniques related to wildlife crimes.

LATF has long been a leader and pivotal force globally in the fight against wildlife and forest crime and trafficking and WITA is honored and excited to collaborate with such an esteemed and effective partner.
Shawn Karns Stephanie Durno Karns Edward Newcomer Jesse Paluch

19/08/2023