The 2022 African Elephant Conference, held in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, brought together representatives from several African nations and global stakeholders to forge a unified approach to elephant conservation. The event resulted in the Hwange Declaration, which supported sustainable use of wildlife, including proposals to sell ivory stockpiles to fund conservation. It also emphasized transboundary conservation and greater community involvement to address human-elephant conflict.
The conference acknowledged the economic strain on countries with large elephant populations, like Zimbabwe, and explored controversial ideas such as lifting the ivory trade ban. This proposal faced resistance from nations like Kenya, reflecting deeper tensions over how best to protect elephants while supporting local economies.
Ultimately, the conference called for collaborative, community-focused, and sustainable strategies. Continued dialogue, investment in livelihoods, and cross-border cooperation were identified as essential to ensuring both elephant protection and human well-being.
