The African Union (AU): Burkina Faso joined the AU in 1963 and therefore actively participates in regional efforts to address refugee issues through its membership in the African Union (AU). The AU's key governing instrument is the 1969 Convention Governing Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. This convention establishes a broad framework for defining refugees, preventing their return to danger (non-refoulement), and outlining state responsibilities towards them. However, the AU framework allows member States to incorporate some flexibility in their national refugee definitions. The AU focuses on promoting cooperation among member States on refugee protection, resettlement, and durable solutions. Similarly, the country has maintained its commitment to protecting forcibly displaced persons by becoming a signatory to the African Union Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) on July 25, 2010. It ratified this Convention on July 5, 2012.

Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel - AES): The security crisis that the countries of the 'Central Sahel' composed of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have been going through for many years, has led to a very important West African sub-regional reorganization. Therefore, the three countries have acted their withdrawal from ECOWAS to adopt the Liptako Gourma Charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Indeed, with the advent of new political regimes in these States following the intensification of the activism of terrorist groups, the AES, also called the Confederation of Sahel States, first created in the form of a mutual defense pact between these three countries concluded in September 2023. On July 6, 2024, this intergovernmental organization was transformed into a confederation after its members announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024. 

Within the framework of this sub-regional organization, a consultation platform between the "Humanitarian Forum of the Confederation of Sahel States" has been created. The first edition was held from August 7 to 9, 2025, in Bamako under the theme: "Humanitarian policies and financing mechanisms in the AES area: Issues, Challenges and Perspectives". From August 10 to 12, 2026, the second edition of the forum was held in Ougadougou under the theme "From emergency to resilience: towards an integrated humanitarian action model for the AES area". This consultation framework remains the main channel through which these three States strengthen their cooperation and the coordination of humanitarian actions and public policies in favor of forcibly displaced persons. 

Regional dialogue on protection and solutions for forced displacement in the Sahel - Ministerial Declaration and Bamako Conclusions:  In September 2019, representatives from governments across the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad) convened in Bamako, Mali, for a regional dialogue on protection and solutions for communities affected by forced displacement. The dialogue brought together not only government officials but also representatives from humanitarian, development, and civil society organizations, along with refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees. This dialogue built upon previous initiatives, including efforts focused on the Lake Chad Basin and the G5 Sahel region, as well as broader African Union and global commitments related to refugees and displacement. Key themes addressed during the dialogue included ensuring access for humanitarian aid, fostering civil-military coordination, strengthening protection measures under the UN's plan to prevent violent extremism, and finding solutions for refugees, IDPs, and other affected populations. This included facilitating access to civil status documentation, identity documents, and nationality. The dialogue culminated in the adoption of the "Bamako Conclusions," a document outlining 46 specific recommendations alongside a reminder on cross-cutting issues relevant to forced displacement in the Sahel. Giving the recent shift of governance in Burkina Faso with the Revolution, it is unclear whether the Bamako Conclusions remain effective.

Lomé Dialogue on National Security and Refugee Protection (Lomé Dialogue): launched in 2024 as a platform for exchanges between the coastal States namely Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, the Lomé Dialogue aims to reconcile national security imperatives and States' compliance with their international commitments to the protection of refugees. As part of the Lomé Dialogue, a sub-regional strategy for protection and solutions (2026-2030) was adopted. This strategy envisions sustainably strengthening the systems for the protection of forcibly displaced persons and support for host communities affected by the crisis in the Sahel. The strategy is based on three pillars: (i) strengthening the protection environment for refugees and asylum seekers, (ii) supporting local development and the inclusion of refugees in host countries, and (iii) voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration.