This region experiences certain difficulties, especially the depletion of natural resources, extreme weather conditions and problems with insecurity, although the economic outlook is positive. IRD has worked here since 1946 and has 10 representatives here. Research covers all the Institute’s priority subject areas: infectious diseases related to poverty, climate change and natural hazards, ecosystems, and so on.
The IRD headed a study designed to draw up an inventory of scientific knowledge about the main development issues in Senegal and, in light of that, put forward scenarios for the evolution of those issues along with recommendations. The five main topics the cut across most of the pillars in the Plan for an Emerging Senegal and the EU’s sector priorities were selected: populations and social changes, health, agriculture, water, natural resources and environment, fishing and aquaculture.
IRD was involved in discussions on the various components of the future sustainable development platform for Lake Chad, a project supported by a group of donors including AFD and DFID.
This conference was held in Abidjan from 26-28 January 2016 as part of the GEOFORAFRI project. It was organised jointly by the Space for development research unit in collaboration with the Permanent Executive Secretariat REDD+ of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MINEDD), and co-funded by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM). It focused on methodological and technical proficiency for earth observation satellite data used by countries in Central and West Africa to monitor their forest cover, compliant with the international requirements set out for the REDD+ mechanisms.