The meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) opened under the

The meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) opened under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, whose Head of State holds the Presidency of the AES Confederation.

This session aimed to coordinate diplomatic action and serve as preparations for the Confederation's Council of Ministers session, itself a preparatory meeting for the 2nd session of the College of Heads of State of the AES Confederation.

Draft legal instruments and the draft activity and outlook report for the AES Confederation were examined.

These documents will also be submitted to the 2nd session of the College of Heads of State.

H.E. Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabés Abroad, Burkina Faso.

H.E. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Niger.

H.E. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mali.

Significant progress in Defense and Security, Diplomacy, and Development was acknowledged.

Ministers commended the Defense and Security Forces for their courage, determination, and patriotism against armed terrorist groups.

The resilience of Sahelian populations in the face of multifaceted challenges was also praised.

Participants denounced destabilizing media campaigns targeting the Sahel countries and their institutions.

Mali, through Minister Diop, expressed gratitude to Burkina Faso and Niger for solidarity during the energy crisis, caused by obstacles from armed terrorist groups.

The foreign ministers issued a press release summarizing their conclusions.

H.E. Abdoulaye Diop met with Mr. Khosravi Nejad Akbar, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

Strengthening bilateral relations.

Prospects for partnerships between AES Confederation and Iran, particularly in diplomacy.

This initiative is part of Mali’s strategy to diversify partnerships.