Official installation of the national organising committee for the sixth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 6)

Dakar, 24 Oct (APS) - On Thursday, the Director of Cabinet for the Minister for the Environment and Ecological Transition officially set up the National Organising Committee for the Sixth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 6), scheduled to take place in Dakar from 22 to 26 March 2027.

“The composition of the National Organising Committee gives us cause for optimism. Your expertise and professionalism are recognised both nationally and internationally”, said Ababacar Guèye to the members of the committee, who were installed during the official ceremony to launch the IMPAC 6 event.

According to Mr Guèye, the success of this international event “depends on close collaboration between all the players, constant creativity, the mobilisation of all available resources and, above all, the involvement of local communities, the primary guardians of marine resources, whose know-how and experience are invaluable in implementing sustainable solutions”.

He praised the “remarkable work of the national task force”, which led to Senegal being chosen to host the congress and to the development of the “roadmap” validated last February by the IMPAC 6 international steering committee.

Senegal has been chosen to host the 6th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC), at the 5th edition to be held in February 2023 in Vancouver, Canada.

The International Congress of Marine Protected Areas, considered to be the world's largest gathering of marine conservation stakeholders, will be held in Senegal for the first time in Africa.

It will bring together national, regional and international players in global marine conservation.

Ababacar Guèye believes that this event is “of vital importance not only for our country, but also for Africa and for the international community, which has been engaged for two decades in a process of negotiation to protect marine and coastal biodiversity”.

The organisation of the Sixth International Congress of Marine Protected Areas by Senegal “is a great opportunity to capitalise on the experience gained in the field, but also a privileged space to discuss the implementation of the global ocean agenda and to guide political decisions at different levels”, he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the technical and financial partners, institutions and experts involved in preparing IMPAC 6.

“We have a responsibility to pass on a lasting legacy to future generations. This congress will be a crucial step in doing so”, said Mr Guèye.

He noted that the forthcoming world summit in Dakar comes at a time of “major advances” in international ocean diplomacy, citing the adoption of the High Seas Treaty (HST) by the United Nations in 2023.

On 19 June 2023, the 193 Member States of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Agreement on the International Treaty for the Protection of the High Seas. This text, ratified by more than 60 countries, is due to come into force on 17 January 2026.

“This treaty, which Senegal signed in Nice, France, in 2025, marks a decisive step for our country in the protection of biodiversity on the high seas”, emphasised the Director of the Office of the Minister for the Environment and Ecological Transition.

According to him, “the challenge for Senegal now is to ratify it so that our country is part of the global dynamic of ocean governance”.

Ababacar Guèye took the opportunity to recall Senegal's “pioneering role” in the community management of marine protected areas (MPAs).

“Our country stands out for the participatory governance of its fifteen marine protected areas, five reserves under maritime influence and four marine national parks. With almost 6 % of its coastal zone protected, Senegal is above the regional average and remains a key player in the preservation of the world's natural heritage”, he pointed out.

The IMPAC 6 kick-off workshop focused on the missions, organisation and operation of the national organising committee for the summit, with a view to mobilising partners. The meeting ends this Friday.

Representatives from the Presidency of the Republic of Senegal and the Prime Minister's Office, as well as academics and experts, are taking part in the meeting.