YEREVAN, Armenia, 26 October 2026 – Following his morning meeting with Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Environment, Minister Fassou Théa participated in the IMPAC6 high-level session on accelerating West Africa’s commitments to the 30×30 target, alongside his counterparts from Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the representative of Mauritania’s Minister of Environment.
Speaking at the session, Minister Fassou Théa highlighted Guinea’s strategic position along the West African coastline, at the heart of the Southern Rivers region and at the confluence of active marine currents in West Africa. He explained that this geographical position gives Guinea a central role in conserving biodiversity, mangroves, marine flora and fauna.
To fulfil its regional responsibilities, Minister Théa stated that Guinea has embarked on expanding its network of marine protected areas (MPAs), with the establishment of six new MPAs covering one million hectares of its marine territory. This initiative is being developed in consultation with stakeholders from the environment, fisheries, economy and research sectors.
Looking ahead to the country’s future ambitions, the Guinean Government is preparing to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which has been submitted to Parliament, thereby contributing to the protection of the high seas.
Regarding marine protected areas, he stated:
“These marine protected areas will only be useful if they are effectively managed. We need support in three areas: establishment studies, management in partnership with fishing communities, and surveillance to combat illegal fishing. I invite the partners present, particularly Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Oceans 5, to support Guinea on this journey.”
He also announced the efforts undertaken by his ministry, in collaboration with its counterparts in Guinea-Bissau, to promote transboundary biodiversity management and secure funding for conservation initiatives.
Before concluding his remarks, Minister Théa expressed his wish for Guinea to become fully integrated into the regional processes that have long been pursued by its sister countries, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, with the support of the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa.
Source: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
