UNESCO supports the sustainable management of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex: Burkina Faso national consultation

In response to the deteriorating security situation at the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, World Heritage Property, the States Parties of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to improve the management and protection of the property through an “Initiative to support the sustainable management of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex”. Financed by the Norwegian government’s contribution to the World Heritage Fund, this initiative supports existing initiatives and provides for inclusive national and regional consultations in the three countries, in collaboration with key partners in securing and conserving the property.

After the first national consultation held in Niger in May/June 2023, it was Burkina Faso’s turn to host the second national consultation, held in Fada N’Gourma (some 230 kilometers from Ouagadougou) on December 16 and 17, 2024. The meeting was attended by some thirty participants, including territorial authorities, provincial officials, representatives of various ministries, the Secretary-General of the Burkina Faso National Commission for UNESCO, civil society players and NGOs. 

It emerged from this meeting that, although the security situation is gradually improving, it has not yet enabled the property’s management authorities, notably the “Office National des Aires Protégées (OFINAP)”, to regain control of the property by resuming conservation and monitoring actions in the field. To this end, a number of key recommendations have been formulated, and a roadmap of urgent actions has been developed to support and strengthen collaboration between the three State Parties Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger.