A parliamentary committee in Burkina Faso has approved the ratification of a landmark United Nations treaty on marine biodiversity, setting the stage for the full legislative assembly to review the text on November 10.
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of the Transitional Legislative Assembly greenlit the bill during a Monday session, advancing the agreement originally adopted in New York on June 19, 2023.
Defending the strategic value of the treaty for a landlocked nation, Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré emphasized that the accord ensures countries without coastlines retain a voice in governing international marine areas and protecting shared biodiversity. Noting that inland nations have an inherent right to participate in managing humanity’s common maritime heritage, Traoré highlighted that the pact guarantees fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources and expands international scientific cooperation. Following formal ratification, the government intends to prioritize domestic initiatives that align local research programs with global marine conservation and climate regulation efforts.
HO/te/Sf/lb/abj/APA