The regions of Côte d'Ivoire, the Geomatics and the Blue Economy

On April 27 and 28 was held in Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the 6th Exhibition of Geomatics 2023. This edition, with the support of the Assembly of Regions and Districts of Côte d'Ivoire (ARDCI), focused on the theme: "Geo-intelligence and Territorial Governance: What contribution of Geo-information Solutions to the Management of African Municipalities for a Sustainable Development? "

The International Geomatics Exhibition is an innovation in the geoinformation sciences sector in Côte d'Ivoire and in Africa. Initiated in 2012, its objective is to bring together every 2 years, geoinformation professionals, public authorities, the private sector, researchers and the general public, around current topics promoting enriching exchanges and useful for development. Geomatics is the scientific term that designates a set of sciences in which the means of capturing, processing, analyzing, interpreting, disseminating and storing geographic information are integrated. Also called spatial or geospatial information. At each edition, the themes addressed at the show aim to provide solutions to major issues. Good governance, climate change, crisis management were some of the themes addressed in previous editions.

For this edition of 2023, with conference programs, panels, exhibitions and B2B exchanges for business opportunities, it attracts the participation of more than 50 countries, 52 exhibition stands for more than 5000 visitors. It may seem superfluous to indicate that this exhibition seeks, with geomatics techniques, as the lever of economic growth and implementation of strategies for poverty reduction and job creation.

At this event, ORU Fogar was represented by its Vice President Ahmed Youssouf Benjeloune, who is also President of the Department of Kaolack and of the Association of Departments of Senegal.

Ahmed Youssouf Benjeloune was Ahmed Youssouf Benjeloune was also present, on April 25 and 26, at the International Forum on the Blue Economy and Climate held at the Grands-Ponts Region in Côte d'Ivoire.

The blue economy is a relatively recent concept that proposes a new vision of the exploitation of oceans, lakes and rivers with the idea of a rational and sustainable use of natural resources.

Representing an opportunity for the structural transformation of regions such as the Grands Ponts, one of the wettest territories in Côte d'Ivoire, with a lagoon of +150 km, a coastline of +200 km long, the Bandaman River and its tributaries, it will certainly be implemented as an economic development strategy to improve human welfare and equity while reducing ecological risks in Côte d'Ivoire. 

In his speech, and beyond the greetings of the ORU Fogar, Ahmed Youssouf Benjeloune, was able to illustrate the theme by the example of work done in the Senegalese department of which he is the president, Kaolack. He explained that the blue economy, in the department, is particularly materialized by fishing. Although artisanal, it is nevertheless an income generating activity for a large population. Continental fishing is practiced in the Saloum River while maritime fishing. "Our department is also home to the second largest modern fish market in the country, a fish processing plant and a related economy that revolves around fish farming and oyster farming." The president of Kaolack also spoke about the opportunities of the artisanal exploitation of salt.

Iolanda Piedra, president of the Maritime Cluster of the Balearic Islands, also participated in the event. She explained a work that began in 2008 with the creation of the Cluster and in which the regional government has involved all the economic and social actors, research centers and administrations related to the sea. From there, she explained the system of governance of the Cluster, the need to have a good diagnosis and a good strategy. Finally, Iolanda Piedra affirmed the willingness to work with all regions with which they share the sea.