LASSINA ZERBO

Lassina Zerbo was appointed as the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso in December of 2021. Previsouly, he served as the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) from August 2013 to July 2021. He has been instrumental in cementing CTBTO’s position as the world’s centre of excellence for nuclear test-ban verification, as well as in driving forward efforts towards the entry into force and universalisation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). He oversaw a swift diplomatic response by the organization to the 2016 nuclear tests conducted by DPRK, through the provision of data and analysis of the events to CTBTO Member States in near-real time. He initiated the Group of Eminent Persons and more recently the CTBTO Youth Group to reinvigorate outreach efforts to achieve CTBT entry into force. Prior to his appointment, Dr Zerbo served as Director of the CTBTO International Data Centre where he spearheaded the responses to the 2006, 2009 & 2013 DPRK nuclear tests, and the 2011 triple disaster in Japan and established and led the CTBT Science and Technology Conferences series. Zerbo has a PhD in Geophysics from Paris XI University and worked in senior positions at BHP-Billiton and Anglo American Plc .In 2013, he was awarded “Arms Control Person of the Year”. He was also decorated as Commander of the National Order of Burkina Faso, and received the Grand Cross in the Chilean Order of Bernardo O’Higgins. He is a member of several think tanks on energy, science, technology and development, and peace and security, and was a member of the World Economic Forum and Vice-Chair of the Global Agenda Council on Nuclear Security from 2014-2016.

 

• Message

It is my honor to serve as a member of the distinct Kenjin-Tatsujin Council of ASHINAGA. The organization, under the leadership of its founder Mr. Tamai, has made tremendous achievements in providing fiscal and mental support for orphaned students. During its 45 years’ history, the organization has supported over 95,000 students. What is more important is that ASHINAGA, with its world vision, has extended its helpful hand beyond Japan. ASHINAGA has built a Rainbow House in Uganda and is now launching “the 100-year vision for Supporting the Higher Education of Orphaned Students from Sub-Saharan Africa” initiative. According to UNESCO statistics, 30 million of the world’s 58 million out-of-school, primary age children live in Sub-Saharan Africa. As an African myself, I know too well how precious education opportunities can be and what it means for Africans and African Nations. It is critical for development and helps lay the foundations for social well-being, economic growth and security, gender equality and peace. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban organization, which I serve, also endorses and works to achieve those universal values, through banning all kinds of nuclear tests, in order to create a peaceful and secure world for all. I firmly believe that the efforts of the organizations like ASHINAGA will greatly benefit the students, the Africa Continent and the world at large.