African universities launch regional colloquium on biodiversity and sovereignty

A regional scientific colloquium has opened in Niamey, focused on the theme ‘Biodiversity and natural resources in the service of sustainable development and sovereignty in Africa’. The third edition of this event is a collaborative effort led by four public universities from Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.

The initiative aims to use fundamental research as a strategic tool for ecosystem management and to foster endogenous African solutions for decision-making. The colloquium features approximately 170 scientific communications covering topics such as terrestrial ecosystems, forest and water resources, agricultural land, fisheries, and mineral resources.

Organizers emphasize that the goal is to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy to ensure that Africa’s rich biological and mineral wealth serves as a genuine driver for community development and national sovereignty.