Ramata Ly-Bakayoko

"If we do nothing, we risk becoming like the Northern countries, with high levels of pollution."

"That is why our country is fully committed to the fight against climate change."

"Several instruments have already been established."

"We have launched a program to combat climate change and ratified several conventions concerning soil degradation."

"The release of mercury into the environment."

"Our national development plan for 2016–2020 now incorporates the concept of environment and climate change."

"All these examples demonstrate the Ivorian government’s determination to implement the commitments made under the Paris Agreement."

"Our universities and major schools have all directed their research toward climate change and sustainable development."

"We have a science and innovation hub within Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, which serves as a true incubation center connecting businesses and innovations."

"We also have skilled researchers who help farmers better manage their crops according to the seasons."

"It is essential that we ensure high quality technological training and scientific research."

"Our forest cover has been reduced by more than 80% in half a century."

"For our research to have a real impact on society, it is important that funding be better directed toward issues of environment, climate change, food security, and water resources."

"We are already organized within CAMES, which brings together 19 countries and several universities, with 12 thematic research programs on agriculture, health, technology, and climate change."

"It is important that these programs receive financial support to meet expectations."

"This is why we believe that the ERC (European Research Council) model would allow us to make significant progress."

"The aim is to prioritize scientific excellence and innovation."

"Peers will evaluate the research programs and provide funding to enable research teams to carry out their work."

"In the same way as the European Union, we believe that the African Union, which already has programs, could bring them together coherently within an African Research Council."

"This high-level seminar allowed me to establish contacts."

"But we already have the support of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), whose research and education division sent us a message expressing its interest."

"We do not have funding at the moment, but we believe we will obtain some."

"If we are organized, if we have visibility, with research programs and clear indicators to achieve, this will attract development aid and the private sector."

"At Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, we established, four years ago, a scientific and innovation project that hosts research units in biopesticides and phytomedicines."

"After demonstrating our capacity to set up a phytomedicine production unit and a biopesticide unit, we gained the support of the World Bank, CIRAD, and IRD."

"If we request that this African Research Council take into account the research themes of CAMES, which are already very advanced, it will help attract funding."