The Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa (PRCM) opened, on Wednesday 28 January in Dakar, a two-day workshop dedicated to the General Assembly of the Research and Education Network on Marine and Coastal Sciences.

The meeting brings together researchers, lecturers, experts and institutional partners from several West African countries. It marks a key milestone in efforts to better structure regional scientific research focused on marine and coastal ecosystems.

A shared observation

In West Africa, research on marine and coastal environments remains fragmented. Studies are often conducted in isolation, depending on sites or disciplines. Despite the strategic importance of these ecosystems, there is still no strong regional framework linking research, education and training.

The establishment of a Research and Education Network aims to address this gap. It seeks to strengthen coordination among institutions, promote knowledge sharing and create lasting synergies at the regional level.

Science in the face of coastal challenges

Discussions during the first day highlighted the central role of research and training in addressing today’s environmental challenges. Scientific panels provided an overview of current knowledge on marine and coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, coastal uses and governance issues.

According to PRCM Director Ahmed Senhoury, this momentum is essential:

“Given the growing complexity of the challenges facing our marine and coastal areas, it is essential to strengthen bridges between research, education and public action, in order to produce knowledge that is both useful and grounded in West African realities.”

Beyond scientific exchanges, the General Assembly aims to lay the foundations for a structuring regional network—a cooperation framework designed to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, enhance the value of knowledge produced, and contribute sustainably to the resilience of marine and coastal areas in West Africa.

The network’s ambition

The future network aims to become a reference platform for the production and dissemination of knowledge on marine and coastal sciences in West Africa. It seeks to promote research that is relevant, rooted in local realities and capable of informing public decision-making.

It builds on the experience of PRCM’s “Research and Higher Education” college, active for over twenty years, as well as on several regional programmes developed in partnership with universities and specialized organizations. Concrete actions have already been undertaken, particularly in training, applied research and the development of educational resources.

This General Assembly is being held within the framework of the WACA ResIP 2 programme, to which PRCM contributes as an implementing partner for the regional integration component.