Research Week was held in French Guiana from 9 to 13 October 2023. The inauguration of the West Guiana Research Station (SROG) was the highlight of the week's events.
À Through these events, the CNRS and its partners, which include the University of French Guiana, aim to strengthen French Guiana's exceptional research capabilities through new infrastructures and research programmes dedicated to studying the dynamics of its socio-ecosystem.
The inauguration took place in the context of a week-long event:
- Day of a prospective study on the development of scientific research in West Guianaon Monday 9 October at 9.30 a.m. at the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane.
- Inauguration of the West Guiana Research StationTuesday 10 October at 11 a.m. at Awala
- Annual conference of the CEBA Laboratory of Excellence (Centre for the Study of Amazonian Biodiversity)Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 October at the University of Guyana
- Foresight workshop on the Workshop area Dynamics of coastal socio-ecosystems in French Guiana
- Presentation of the MAGELLAN mangrove living laboratory the Solu-BioD research priority programmes and equipment (PEPR), on Friday 13 October at Montsinéry town hall
A look back at the morning session on the development of scientific research in West Guiana
This morning consisted of a non-exhaustive overview of research in West Guiana in particular.
Speeches were given by the region's major players, such as the Direction Générale des Territoires et Mer (DGTM), which expressed its need for knowledge and data for regional planning, construction and the necessary infrastructure; The Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG), via Guyane Développement Innovation (GDI), presented its SRESII 4, in relation to the challenges facing the West; the Communauté de Communes de l'Ouest Guyanais (CCOG) expressed its needs in terms of forward-looking research, in relation to the Port de l'Ouest, the Pôle Agroalimentaire de l'Ouest, waste management and regional planning. The University of French Guiana was involved through the Amazon Institute for Biodiversity, Science and Innovation, while the Regional Committee for Maritime Fisheries and Marine Farming in French Guiana (CRPMEM) was involved in research and the sustainable development of fishing activities.
The presentations on research and research prospects for West Guiana were supplemented by a report on public and private funding, by a college of funders.
Focus on the inauguration of the West Guiana Research Station
Tuesday 10 October marked an important milestone in research in French Guiana, particularly in terms of our knowledge of the region under the influence of the Amazon. For a whole day, the key players in research in French Guiana, including the University of French Guiana through its LEEISA laboratory, inaugurated the West Guiana Research Station. The station will provide a solid link between western and eastern Guyana, facilitating the sharing of data and knowledge. The station is set to become the hub for research into coastal issues. The location in Awala-Yalimapo is symbolic of the historical importance of marine turtle research, but also embodies a special effort to develop science and higher education in western Guiana.
