We, the undersigned, call on the governments of Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe to halt plans for deepwater port development in Techobanine. On July 13, 2025, Maputo National Park was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cementing its value as a national and global asset. Continuing discussions of port development in this protected area threaten the new UNESCO designation, as well as the future of a conservation-led economy.  
The recent UNESCO designation means that any development within Maputo National Park must respect the Outstanding Universal Value of the site. A deep-sea port cannot preserve the unique value of the site because it cannot coexist with the fragile ecosystems present in the area. The coast protected by MNP is home to the biggest and most important coral reef in southern Mozambique. This is crucial habitat for critically endangered sea turtles. Important migration routes run along the coastline that serve endangered humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, and other species, all of which would be disturbed by shipping activities. Marcos Pereira, a biologist based in Maputo, says of the coastline habitat, “To build the port, you’ll have to break it, dynamite it, dredge it. So there’s no reconciliation. You’re losing that asset. You’re just destroying it.” 
The local community in and around MNP is also highly dependent on the functionality of the ecosystem. Residents depend on the environment for reed harvesting and fishing. They are also dependent on park infrastructure and eco-tourism for their livelihoods. 17 communities are supported by the PPF in their agricultural practices and 98% of park employees are locals (PPF 2025). Initiatives, such as the Ponta Chemucane tourism project, partner with local communities to generate economic benefits for them through tourism. Currently, tourism is expected to become one of Mozambique’s most significant growth sectors (Lindahl, 2024), and with the recent UNESCO designations, even more tourists are likely to be drawn to the area. All this growth is threatened if port development destroys habitat, generates pollution, and drives away tourists looking for pristine beaches and untrammeled nature. Locally run lodges, businesses, and tourism services would suffer. 
With feasibility studies for port development already underway and projected to be complete by 2027, it is imperative that we take this moment to show the governments of Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe that we will not support the development within Maputo National Park. We will not allow the progress achieved by the UNESCO designation to be destroyed and the designation to be endangered. Instead, we will show support for Mozambique’s environmentally and economically sustainable future. 
 
Call to action: 
We urge the governments of Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe to: 
1. Halt the feasibility studies and development plans being conducted at Techobanine. 
2. Invest in research of alternative sites or economic development options that do not threaten sensitive areas.  

Signatures: 

By signing this petition, I express my opposition for development of a deep-sea port at Techobanine and my support for permanent protection of environmental assets within Maputo National Park.