On September 23, 2026, the 81st United Nations General Assembly continued with high-level meetings, including the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 UN Declaration on the Right to Development. Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE, delivered his country's statement, highlighting the persistence of profound inequalities between nations and within societies. He emphasized the need for a development approach that prioritizes freedom, sovereignty, and sustainability.
The Minister presented Burkina Faso's vision for development, which focuses on endogenous, sovereign, and sustainable growth through local production, transformation of resources, and national capacity building. He cited encouraging results, including a 40% increase in cereal production, from 5.1 to 7.15 million tons, and a 5.3% economic growth rate in 2025. These achievements demonstrate the country's commitment to action, resilience, and dignity, despite security challenges.
The Minister emphasized that the countries of the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, are committed to protecting their people and territories. He stressed that the right to development, life, and dignity should not be compromised or instrumentalized for political pressure. The Minister called for impartiality, equality of treatment, and fact-based examination of human rights situations.
Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE also addressed the issue of international justice, stating that the misuse of justice mechanisms as instruments of political pressure undermines their credibility. He cited the example of the Sahel region's countries, which have withdrawn from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Minister emphasized the need for a more equitable and just international system.
The Minister highlighted the importance of reforming the international financial architecture to promote sustainable development. He called for a more equitable fiscal system, strengthened national productive capacities, and recognition of terrorism, interference, and threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity as obstacles to development.
The Foreign Minister concluded by emphasizing that the realization of the right to development requires a comprehensive approach that addresses these challenges. He expressed confidence that by giving the right to development its full scope, the international community can build a more just, stable, and prosperous world.
The Minister's statement reflects Burkina Faso's commitment to promoting sustainable development and human rights. The country's experience and achievements serve as an example for other nations, and its call for reform of the international financial architecture is likely to resonate with other developing countries.
Key points
- Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister calls for reform of international financial systems to promote sustainable development.
- The country has made significant progress in cereal production and economic growth despite security challenges.
- The Minister emphasizes the need for impartiality and equality of treatment in human rights situations.
