Greater Virunga Transboundary  Collaboration is an Intergovernmental Organization established by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda governed by a Treaty signed in 2015, whose purpose is to establish a Transboundary Collaboration Framework for programs and activities on wildlife conservation and tourism development in the Greater Virunga Landscape among the Partner States.

In Collaboration with WWF, GVTC convened a stakeholders’ consultation meeting for the development of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Strategic Plan 2024-2033.

On this 22nd November 2023, a two-day meeting which brought together experts from various backgrounds, involved in the conservation and tourism development in the Greater Virunga Landscape was concluded on a positive note. These experts including administration leaders, protected areas officers, conservation non-governmental organisations, and research institutions were able to determine a strategic orientation which will guide the GVTC and its partners in the next ten years from 2024.

Experts from DRC, Rwanda and Uganda in a consultative meeting on the development of the GVTC Transboundary Strategic Plan 2024-2033, at Hill View Hotel, Rubavu District of Rwanda on 21 November 2023

Considering the challenges  registered in this landscape, the participants have resolved to build the transboundary strategic plan on the following  pillars:

1. Transboundary Collaboration and Policy
2. Community Advocacy and Empowerment
3. Enterprise, Investment and Finance
4. Sustainable Natural Resources Management

This consultative workshop was facilitated by Kilimanyika Group consultants, Mr. Paul Harrison, Ececutive Chairman and Mr. James Laizer Director.

At the end of the two days, participants adopted a new vision, mission and goal on which the new strategy will be based on. The vision is: Greater Virunga Landscape sustainably conserved for the benefit of people and nature. The adopted mission is “To enhance the sustainable conservation of ecosystems and improve the well-being of people through a peaceful and strengthened transboundary collaboration in the Greater Virunga Landscape”, while the goal is to have inclusive and strengthened ecosystem and biodiversity conservation, improved quality of life for the people, and resilient ecosystems in the Greater Virunga Landscape, enabled by enhanced transboundary collaboration by 2033.

Dr. Andrew G. Seguya, in his closing remarks, expressed his gratitude to the participants whose contributions in terms of ideas, time, and finance were invaluable. He particularly thanked WWF, who continue to play a key role of mobilizing other key conservation and development NGOs in the GVL. He reiterated that with their contribution the fire is going to burn very brightly and the livelihood of the communities around the protected areas will be improved as the conservation of wildlife will be enhanced also.

Mr. Dr. Andrew G. Seguya, GVTC Executive Secretary, during addressing the gathering, during the consultative workshop of GVTC TSP in Rubavu, Hill View Hotel Nov 21, 2023

Mr. Paul Hatanga, WWF Program Coordinator, during addressing the gathering on behalf of WWF, during the consultative workshop in Rubavu, Hill View Hotel Nov 21, 2023

Mr. Abel Bizimana, Governor of Kisoro District (Chairman LCV), appreciated Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration for making consultations in order to come up with a strategy aiming at finding solutions to the problem of communities in the GVL. He pointed out that, it is shameful to note that the population around the protected areas are among the poorest, while they are the first guardians of the invaluable resources which are generating significant financial returns. 

Mr. Abel Bizimana Kisoro District Governor (Chairman LCV) addressing the gathering during the consultative meeting on development of GVTC Transboundary Strategic Plan, Rubavu 21 Nov 2023

“We must conserve for now and for the future.  We have a landscape to protect and it is our duty because it is a vulnerable landscape, whose great treasure is needed violently by the negative forces to use them illegally while it has the potential to make all of us rich. Equity is required in the distribution of that richness so that those who are around these resources are the first to get richer. It is shameful to see women and Children not accessing schools and hospitals while they are seated around these resources that are generating dollars every day. We need to have flourishing communities and a prosperous nature”, said the Kisoro District Chairman LCV.