Drawing on a dense and varied network of scientific partners, IRD works in a spirit of regional cooperation. The Institute benefits from long-standing presence, recognised by the national funding agencies. IRD research encompasses global changes, the sustainable management of resources and territories, mobilities and biotechnologies in Mesoamerica, urban dynamics and so on.
In early September 2016, IRD and the Peruvian Geophysics Institute, in association with César Vallejo University, held the world’s first international conference on karst, at Tarapoto in Peru. This conference brought together 200 participants from ten or so countries. After the conference, a dozen French, Peruvian and Brazilian researchers went on a scientific expedition to the kart of Cerro Blanco. This chalky massif at the foot of the Andes-Amazon region acts like a water tower for the region and is home to some exceptional surface and underground biodiversity. Following on from this, there will be a multidisciplinary scientific expedition in 2017.
2016 saw the 280th anniversary of the first French geodetic mission of 1736, led by three members of the French Académie des Sciences. The third geodetic mission was initiated by geoscience researchers from IRD and its French and Ecuadorian partners 25 years ago. In February 2016, French and Ecuadorian researchers produced an, accurate measurement, to the nearest centimetre, of the Chimborazo volcano, confirming that the summit is the peak that lies the furthest from the Earth’s core.
As part of the programme to strengthen the national meteorology and hydrology service (SENAMHI) in Bolivia, IRD joined up with Météo France Internationale to build the institution’s operational capacities, particularly with regards to hydrology.
A flood early-warning system was introduced, most notably using data generated by the Hybam observatory.
The third United Nations conference on housing and sustainable urban development (Habitat III) was held in Quito (Ecuador) from 17-20 October 2016.
Find out more