The
insignia of the Chevalier of Légion d’honneur – France’s highest distinction –was
conferred on Dr Papa Abdoulaye Seck by Madame Kuster-Ménager, Ambassador of
France in Benin, in a brief ceremony in Cotonou on 22 November 2013.
Dr
Seck was until recently Director General of the Benin-based Africa Rice Center
(AfricaRice). He is currently the Senegal Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Equipment.
Established
by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d’honneur honors individuals for
exemplary service and distinguished achievements. Dr Seck received this prestigious award for
his outstanding contribution and dedication to agricultural research and
development in Africa.
Emphasizing
Dr Seck’s high professional competence, his human qualities and his strong
commitment to food security in Africa, the Ambassador remarked, “He is a
well-known personality in the scientific world and is attentive to Africa’s
needs and its realities.”
The
Ambassador praised Dr Seck’s spirit of partnership and his love for – and
mastery of – the French language. She highlighted that Dr Seck has
significantly strengthened the scientific collaboration between African, French
and international research institutions during his leadership of the Senegalese
Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) and subsequently of AfricaRice.
She
gave the example of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP), a CGIAR Research Program, which was launched in 2010, in which French research
organizations such as the Agricultural Research Center for International
Development (CIRAD) and the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) are
actively involved along with national and international research organizations.
“I
feel deeply honored,” said Dr Seck, expressing his strong conviction that
Africa’s agricultural development can be possible only through strong science
and partnership.
A
specialist in agricultural strategy and policy analysis, Dr Seck is a
passionate advocate of the continent’s potential to become one of the world’s
largest granaries in the coming decades as it has enough land and water
resources, agro-ecological diversity, human capital and technologies.
He
is a member of the Senegal Academy of Sciences and Technologies (ANSTS), the African
Academy of Sciences (AAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
“This
recognition is a tribute to the African scientific community and the cooperation
between France and Africa,” Dr Seck stated. “I therefore share this honor with
my colleagues of ISRA, AfricaRice, ANSTS, AAS, the French National Institute of
Agricultural Research (INRA), CIRAD, IRD and the CGIAR Consortium.
AfricaRice interim Director General Dr Adama Traoré remarked,
“This is a proud moment for AfricaRice and all its partners, including the
national agricultural research systems of Africa and all the members of GRiSP.”
AfricaRice is an intergovernmental association of 25
African member countries and one of the 15 international agricultural research
Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. AfricaRice leads GRiSP activities
in Africa.
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