Patronage strengthens regional cooperation for long-term transboundary landscape stewardship and biodiversity conservation
Peace Parks Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, as patron.
The appointment reflects a shared commitment to the long-term stewardship of southern Africa’s transboundary landscapes, where healthy ecosystems and the communities who depend on them are intrinsically connected.
In recent years, Malawi has strengthened the management of protected areas, including through the Nyika–Vwaza Co-Management Trust (a special purpose vehicle, or SPV), where government, communities, other key stakeholders and Peace Parks share responsibility for sustainable natural resource management and development.
In accepting the invitation, President Mutharika reaffirmed his commitment to regional cooperation and environmental stewardship. “The Foundation’s commendable work for conservation, alongside the communities who depend on these regions, is truly inspiring,” President Mutharika said. “I am deeply honoured to accept this role.”
Werner Myburgh, CEO of Peace Parks Foundation, said, “We are honoured to welcome President Mutharika as Patron. His support gives weight to the first-of-its-kind co-management model underway in the Nyika–Vwaza landscape. It is unique due to its inclusive governance structure. Communities and local government are usually excluded when it comes to overseeing the management of state protected areas.
“Here, an independent legal entity, founded by the Malawi Government and Peace Parks and accountable for these parks, has brought local community leadership, local government, private sector and independent representatives onto the Board of Trustees to oversee a professional park management team.
“It is exciting to see how park management governance has evolved and adapted to changing times, and we are grateful for President Mutharika’s patronage as this important work continues,” he said.
