Author: admin2693

Dakar, 24 Oct (APS) - On Thursday, the Director of Cabinet for the Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition officially installed the National Organising Committee for the Sixth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 6), scheduled to take place from 22 to 26 March 2027 in Dakar. “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, installed during the official ceremony to launch the work of IMPAC 6. According to Mr Guèye, the success of this international event “depends on close collaboration between 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 for the implementation of sustainable solutions”. He praised “the remarkable work of the national task force”, which led to Senegal being chosen to host this 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 Marine Protected Areas Congress, 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 for the protection of 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 sustainable legacy to future generations. This congress will be a crucial step in doing so”, said Mr Guèye. He pointed out 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 as to include our country in the global dynamic of ocean governance”. Ababacar Guèye took the opportunity to recall Senegal's “pioneering role” in 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 workshop to launch the work of IMPAC 6 is focusing 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.

IMPAC 6: at La Somone, Senegal launches the countdown to a global meeting to protect the oceans On 26 March 2026, Senegal officially launched the countdown to the International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 6), scheduled to take place from 22 to 26 March 2027 in Dakar, through a «One Year to Go» event organised at the Somone Marine Protected Area. This ceremony marks a strategic step in the preparations for this global event dedicated to ocean conservation and sustainable coastal zone management. Taking the floor in this symbolic setting, the Senegalese Minister for the Environment and Ecological Transition, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, underlined the exceptional significance of this moment. He stressed that this launch was not simply a milestone on the calendar, but the starting point of a national and international dynamic. In exactly one year's time, Senegal will have the «immense privilege» of hosting IMPAC 6, an event that will bring together the world's key players involved in protecting the oceans. He described the congress as a powerful symbol of international cooperation, shared responsibility and collective commitment in the face of the threats to marine ecosystems. La Somone, a showcase for Senegal's biodiversity and ambitions The choice of the Somone Marine Protected Area to host the launch is highly significant. The minister pointed out that this emblematic site embodies the exceptional richness of Senegal's marine and coastal biodiversity, while illustrating the country's ongoing efforts to preserve it. Through this concrete example, the authorities aim to demonstrate that it is possible to reconcile environmental protection, local development and the sustainable use of natural resources. La Somone is a model of balance between conservation and economic activities, particularly eco-tourism. All-out mobilisation to make IMPAC 6 a success The aim of the «One Year to Go» event is to trigger large-scale mobilisation. For the minister, it is a call to unite all stakeholders - public institutions, NGOs, researchers, technical and financial partners - around a common ambition: to make IMPAC 6 a resounding success. He stressed the need for a collective commitment, at national, regional and international levels, to position Africa, through Senegal, as a major player in ocean governance over the long term. A dynamic in a strategic national context This mobilisation comes in a particular national context, marked by the imminent celebration of National Youth Week 2026, which will culminate in the 66ᵉ anniversary of Senegal's independence. The Minister pointed out that this convergence of calendars highlights a central priority: youth. In the vision put forward by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, young people are both the heirs and the players in preserving the natural heritage. He stressed the need to provide them with the means, opportunities and inspiration to become fully involved in protecting the oceans. YOG Dakar 2026 and IMPAC 6: a double international showcase The launch of this countdown is also in line with the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, another major event for Senegal. According to the Minister, the theme of the parade on 4 April 2026, which focuses on «the defence and security forces as partners of the YOG», reflects an essential synergy between institutions, young people and major international events. He also emphasised the importance of guaranteeing a secure, inclusive and well-organised framework for hosting these major events. Affirmed African leadership on the international stage Through the joint organisation of IMPAC 6 in 2027 and the Dakar 2026 YOG, Senegal is positioning itself at a strategic crossroads. The country is asserting its ambition to be not only a host country, but also a committed, innovative and responsible player on the international stage. The minister pointed out that the congress should bring together nearly 3,000 participants from at least 50 countries, from 22 to 27 March 2027. Mobilisation on this scale requires rigorous preparation and flawless coordination. With this in mind, the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a key step. This partnership aims to strengthen the involvement of international NGOs and ensure the active participation of stakeholders from the South. The aim is twofold: to ensure the organisational success of the congress and to promote a balanced representation of the different regions of the world in the discussions on ocean governance. A solemn appeal for collective commitment Finally, the Minister for the Environment made a strong appeal to all stakeholders. He urged them to mobilise their energies, strengthen their partnerships and unite their efforts to make IMPAC 6 a decisive turning point in the protection of the oceans. Under the coordination of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Senegal intends to build a lasting legacy for the benefit of future generations, local communities and the environment.