1st edition of international conference "Géologie et ressources naturelles en Afrique centrale, impact sociétal et développement durable."

In the context of concluding the first phase of the GeoRes4Dev project 2018-2023, subsidized by Belgian Cooperation, the conference was co-organized to promote North-South and South-South cooperation. The co-organizers, namely Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), the Royal Museum for Central Africa - GeoRes4Dev Project in Tervuren (Belgium), and the Geological and Mining Research Center of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ensured the smooth progress and success of this international event.

The objective of the conference was to mobilize research on geo-resources and their societal impact, within the context of integrated management and sustainable development. It also aimed to promote geological, mining, hydrogeological, and environmental knowledge in Central Africa. The conference was open to international participants, including individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Gabon, Cameroon, Chad, and Senegal.

The conference was opened by the Minister of State, Minister of Mines and Geology of the Republic of Congo, Pierre OBA, accompanied by the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technological Innovation of the Republic of Congo, Edith Delphine Emmanuelle ADOUKI. Mr. Charlier, Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of Belgium in Brazzaville, attended the opening, some presentations, and the closing. He invited GeoRes4Dev participants and a few other conference attendees to a reception at the Embassy residence in the evening. The conference thus contributed to raising awareness of these issues within the political sphere.

There were two keynote presentations, one by Professor Boudzoumou on "Geology of Central Africa: Natural Resources, Societal Impact, and Sustainable Development"; the other by Mrs. Özlem Adiyaman Lopes, Geologist, Program Specialist in the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO, on "Why UNESCO aims to promote the recognition of geological heritage and global geoparks in Africa?"

The conference was organized into 9 sessions: Mining Resources, Society, Anthropogenic Activities, and Environment; Geodynamics; Geoheritage; Karst; Geology and Geo-resources; Geohazards; Water Resources; Geomaterials; Mineralizations; Sedimentology. A total of 58 oral presentations, both in person and via video conference, as well as 18 posters, were presented over the course of 3 days. The abstracts of the participants will be compiled into an "abstract book," which will be distributed online by the international scientific journal "Geologica Belgica."

As part of the encouragement for young researchers, three awards were presented:

• The prize for the best female participation, awarded by "AS Building" in Brazzaville, was given to doctoral student Bouenitela Vicky Tendresse Telange from Marien Ngouabi University in the Republic of Congo.
• The prize for the best oral presentation, granted by the "Commission for the Geological Map of the World-CCGM," was awarded to BONGWELE Onanga Guyghens, a doctoral student at the University of Kinshasa and a geologist at "NYA CEMENT PLANT" in the DRC.
• The prize for the best poster, awarded by the project "GeoRiskA – GeoRisks in Africa" at the Royal Museum of Central Africa, was presented to doctoral student Evelyne Safari from the University of Burundi.