Marine biodiversity: Burkina Faso intends to have a say in international decisions

Although landlocked, Burkina Faso intends to participate in international decisions concerning ocean conservation. On November 9, 2026, the People's Legislative Assembly (ALP) unanimously adopted the bill authorizing the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in the High Seas.

Presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to members of parliament, this agreement, adopted on June 19, 2023 in New York, concerns marine areas located beyond national jurisdictions. Its aims include strengthening the protection of biodiversity and regulating the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

For the Burkinabe authorities, the country's landlocked status does not constitute an obstacle to its participation in this global governance. Environmental challenges, particularly climate change and natural disasters, justify, according to the government, the involvement of all states in the preservation of marine ecosystems.

Ratification will allow Burkina Faso to participate in the work of the Conference of the Parties and to defend the interests of landlocked developing countries. The government also intends to contribute to international discussions on the rules governing the management of the high seas.

Speaking before the deputies, the head of diplomacy stressed the need to make Burkina Faso's voice heard in international bodies and to influence decisions relating to this area, taking into account national interests.

However, the implementation of this commitment will require several actions, including the formulation of projects likely to benefit from the financing mechanisms provided for in the agreement, the strengthening of partnerships with coastal countries in the sub-region and the development of tools for the protection of marine biodiversity.

Burkina Faso also intends to rely on the network of landlocked developing countries to promote common positions and have more influence in discussions on the governance of the high seas.

Djamila Kambou