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The Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires (EISMV) in Dakar celebrated its 19th anniversary.^èmeacademic year 2015-2016, on Friday, February 26, 2016 at its headquarters.

Several guests, including former EISMV General Managers, technical and financial partners, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of CORAFWECARD, honored the ceremony with their presence.

This year, EISMV chose CORAF/WECARD to deliver the inaugural lecture on the theme: COP21, challenges and stakes for African agriculture.

Prior to the inaugural conference, the new General Manager of IESMV, Prof. Yalacé Yamba KABORET, reviewed the past year's achievements, before outlining the main lines of work for the new year, and emphasizing the operating plan he intends to implement during his term of office.

This keynote address was followed by a presentation of certificates to the valedictorians for the 2014-2015 academic year. Former EISMV General Managers and retired teachers were honored for their service to the school.

The highlight of the academic year was the inaugural lecture given by Dr. Paco Sérémé, Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, on the challenges and stakes for African agriculture after COP21, focusing on three major themes: (i) the challenges of climate change intensification and its impacts, (ii) the global response to the threat of climate change, and (iii) CORAF/WECARD's initiatives for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

According to the speaker, Dr Paco Sérémé, "For our continent, Africa, the last of the polluters at 4 percent, it is ultimately a question of strengthening our capacities to adapt to the phenomenon and mitigate its serious risks and consequences, especially in this "great and long adventure" in which we have resolutely embarked, namely sustainable development and the fight against poverty for African populations in general, and, in a singular way, those of our West and Central African sub-region".

He concluded by emphasizing that COP21 is an opportunity for Africa to adapt to climate change, in the following terms : "Having seen the full force of the worsening pace and scale of climate change, which is undermining the achievement of the development objectives of the various countries on the continent, the Africa Group, through its political negotiating coalition within the UNFCCC, could not but defend and support the noble cause of COP21. In this respect, may the forthcoming COP22 in Marrakech, on Moroccan and African soil, as well as those that will follow, take this giant bull by the horns to bring it down, or at least weaken it, through bold and concrete measures".