BOBO-DIOULASSO, Burkina Faso, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso on Saturday officially opened the 22nd edition of its National Culture Week in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, with President Ibrahim Traore highlighting the event as "an unconditional act of cultural sovereignty."

The event, held under the theme "Culture, Youth and the Transmission of Social Values," drew thousands of participants. It featured musical performances and a parade showcasing the country's rich cultural diversity.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, Traore said the event reflects a firm commitment to safeguarding national identity.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Traore met with the prime ministers of the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), namely Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to discuss cultural cooperation and regional integration.

According to Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, the meeting underscored the central role of culture in building sovereignty within the Sahel region. He conveyed "fraternal greetings" from the leaders of Mali and Niger and reaffirmed the unity among the three countries.

Cultural identity forms the foundation of the AES confederation, Maiga said, adding that the leaders share a common vision in addressing challenges such as terrorism, external interference and underdevelopment.

Traore, who also serves as president of the AES Confederation, emphasized the shared identity of the region's people, noting that the three nations are "one people" united in a common struggle and future.