Ouagadougou: Teachers, researchers, and environmental experts gathered in Ouagadougou to advocate for increased local actions to preserve biodiversity, emphasizing that such efforts have significant global implications. This call to action coincided with the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22, 2026.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Hamad© Ou©draogo, a distinguished teacher-researcher in the Department of Life and Earth Sciences, explained that the International Day for Biodiversity aims to celebrate life in all its diverse forms. Ou©draogo stressed the essential interdependence between living organisms and non-living elements, highlighting that biodiversity encompasses not only living species but also legal, economic, and sociological dimensions.
The event brought together a broad spectrum of participants, including experts, master's and doctoral students, and civil society actors, to exchange ideas on biodiversity-related challenges, threats, and best preservation practices. Professor Ou©draogo underscored the critical role of biodiversity as the foundation of life.
Professor Aim© Joseph Nianogo, the former director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), highlighted the global environmental impact of individual behaviors. He pointed out that local actions, such as tree planting, can significantly contribute to carbon sequestration and the reduction of global warming. He also advocated for the consumption of local products to minimize the ecological footprint associated with imported goods.
Professor Nianogo emphasized the importance of environmental education for young people, arguing that humanity's survival hinges on the preservation of natural resources. He warned that the planet's future is at risk without robust biodiversity, noting that essential resources like air, water, and agriculture are derived directly from nature.
The International Biodiversity Day event took place at Joseph KI Zerbo University in Ouagadougou, with the participation of the Minister in charge of Higher Education, Professor Adjima Thiombiano.