449. Peacekeeping is a concern for our country. This is why the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT) participate in various peacekeeping missions on behalf of the United Nations and other sub-regional organizations 450. Peace and security are indispensable for the protection and preservation of life, with a view to creating conditions conducive to sustainable development. 451. Thus, in October 2016, Togo hosted the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union on Safety and Maritime Security. It is the continent's willingness to meet a major contemporary challenge: that of protecting seas and oceans as well as preserving and judiciously harnessing the potentials and resources that abound in the continent in an environment that is prone to persistent insecurity and trafficking of all kinds. 452. Indeed, the sea which, suffers from the non-respect of the limits of the exploitation of the wealth, from marine and coastal pollution activities when it is not carried out in a sustainable manner, damages the marine environment and its biodiversity. In this context, the only option for Africa to take its destiny in its hand lies on a coordinated approach at the continental level with an approach that is responsive to this problem. 453. The African Charter on Maritime Safety and Security is in line with an ambition to adopt a roadmap at various levels of the short-term implementation of the commitments already made. In its design, it is a cooperation instrument that has to naturally integrate into the already existing frameworks that it complements and operationalizes. This charter was adopted and signed in Lome on 15 October 2016. Article 24: Right to a general satisfactory and comprehensive environment, favourable to development 454. Article 41 of the Constitution reaffirms the citizens’ right to a healthy environment. Thus, Togo has a Ministry of Environment and is party to several international legal instruments relating to the protection of the environment. 455. The Ministry of the Environment and Forestry Resources (MERF) was established under the name of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Production since 1987 by Decree No. 87-24/PR of 12 March 1987. MERF is charged with the implementation of government's environmental policy, as well as the management and protection of the environment with the participation of the people and the various stakeholders. 129