On the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Burkina Faso's delegation, led by Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, initiated a series of bilateral meetings with several partners on September 22 in New York. The first meeting brought together Traoré and US Deputy Secretary of State Frank Garcia Jr., who is in charge of African Affairs. They discussed recent developments in cooperation between Burkina Faso and the US, particularly in security and economic domains.
The discussions between Traoré and Garcia Jr. highlighted the positive effects of renewed dialogue after a period of tension in bilateral relations. The US emphasized that this new chapter should be based on respect for state sovereignty, mutual interests, and regular consultation. Traoré called for maintaining this dynamic of listening and openness, prioritizing an objective understanding of Burkina Faso's realities and partnerships that contribute to sustainable solutions.
Traoré then met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. The talks reviewed cooperation between Ouagadougou and Rabat, strengthened during the 5th Mixed Commission of Cooperation in 2025, where 14 legal instruments and cooperation agreements were signed. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing this dynamic and making the Burkinabé-Moroccan partnership a model of inter-African cooperation based on South-South solidarity and mutual interests.
Traoré praised King Mohammed VI's initiative to enhance access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. The meeting with Bourita demonstrated the commitment of both nations to deepen their cooperation. The minister's interactions with US and Moroccan officials reflect Burkina Faso's efforts to bolster its diplomatic engagements with strategic partners.
Traoré also met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Their discussions focused on prospects for strengthening cooperation between Burkina Faso and Singapore, particularly in business and information technology sectors. Traoré presented Burkina Faso's potential and its new orientation toward mutually beneficial partnerships based on mutual respect.
Both Traoré and Balakrishnan expressed their desire for official visits to their respective countries to give concrete content to bilateral cooperation. These meetings underscore Burkina Faso's drive to diversify and strengthen its international partnerships. The engagements are part of the country's efforts to address its development needs through collaborative efforts with other nations.
The series of meetings by Traoré at the UN General Assembly highlights Burkina Faso's proactive diplomacy. The country is seeking to enhance cooperation with partners like the US, Morocco, and Singapore to support its development goals. These diplomatic efforts aim to create new opportunities for cooperation that align with Burkina Faso's interests and priorities.
Key points
- Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré held meetings with US, Moroccan, and Singaporean counterparts at the UN General Assembly.
- The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as security, economy, and technology.
- Burkina Faso is strengthening its partnerships with strategic countries to support its development goals.
