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IRD visits the Indian Ocean region

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IRD visits the Indian Ocean region

Health and environment: IRD advocates for the importance of scientific research

During her visit to the Indian Ocean region, Valérie Verdier, President and CEO of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), met with local teams and IRD partners to discuss specific scientific challenges and actions to be undertaken.

As part of a global reflection on its organization in the Indo-Pacific region, the IRD seeks to optimize its research devices and structure its scientific strategy around themes such as oceans, coastlines, marine resources, climate change, environmental risks, and health, in line with Objective 2.2: Means, and Performance Contract.

Strengthening regional scientific cooperation: Historic framework agreement between the IRD and Réunion Island

During her visit to Réunion Island on May 2, 2023, Valérie Verdier signed a framework agreement with the President of the Réunion, Huguette Bello, to strengthen regional scientific cooperation. The first framework agreement between the IRD and an overseas community focuses on major areas of interest, such as adaptation to global changes, ecological transformations of island systems, and capacity building of Indian Ocean populations. The IRD, present in Réunion since 1987, conducts research in partnership with local higher education actors, focusing on biodiversity preservation, climate change, population health, and societal evolution. The framework agreement « will allow our Institute to strengthen regional scientific cooperation and research for reasoned and coordinated sustainable development », emphasizes Ms. Verdier. It should be noted that objectives will accompany it and means contract and financial support from the region and European FEDER funds under the « Horizon Europe » program.

AfriCam Madagascar Project: A Major Initiative in the Fight Against Zoonotic Diseases

The AfriCam Madagascar project was officially launched last April with funding of 10 million EUR from the French Development Agency (AFD) to fight against zoonotic diseases. It aims to develop and strengthen surveillance of priority zoonotic diseases, such as Rift Valley fever, vector-borne diseases, animal-borne pathogens (mainly hantavirus and coronavirus), and rabies. The project includes epidemiological and socio-anthropological studies, participatory workshops to co-construct ecosystems resilient to zoonotic risks, and strengthening community-based participatory surveillance. AfriCam is part of the international PREZODE initiative (Preventing Zoonotic Disease Emergence). It adopts a participatory approach by working with a consortium of partners to prevent the risks of zoonosis emergence and promote human, animal, and environmental health. This project marks a significant advance in the fight against zoonotic diseases by contributing to the prevention of future pandemics and the construction of a more resilient future.

Ianja Ny

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