Réunion/New cooperation between the Region, Saint-Paul and Mozambique
On Friday April 5, 2024, the framework agreement for decentralized cooperation was signed between the city of Quélimane in Mozambique, the city of Saint-Paul and Région Réunion. The signing comes ahead of the "7 soleils, 7 lunes" festival organized in conjunction with Léspas Leconte de Lisle, highlighting Portuguese-speaking culture. This year, the network's international meetings will welcome delegations from Cape Verde and Mozambique to La Réunion. We publish the press release below
- Cooperation between Mozambique and La Réunion -
Relations between La Réunion and Mozambique are the fruit of a singular and profound history, linked to the settlement of La Réunion through slavery and indentured servitude. Over 200,000 slaves and indentured labourers were transported from Mozambique to La Réunion, originating from Inhambane, Quélimane, Mozambique Island and Pemba. This shared history and our "African geography" have strengthened the ties between La Réunion and Mozambique.
This common heritage can be illustrated by cultural and artistic practices such as Moringue. It has also led to cultural and heritage cooperation projects, such as the "Jardin de la Mé- moire" on the island of Mozambique.
This shared history legitimizes and justifies the strengthening of links and exchanges between Réunion and Mozambique, especially as Mozambique has considerable assets to play a full part in the regional co-development policy supported by Région Réunion.
With a surface area of 801,590 km2 and a coastline stretching 2,500 km, the country boasts a diverse geography. It also possesses significant primary resources in the mining and agricultural sectors, as well as hydraulic potential that makes it a regional supplier of electricity.
With an estimated population of 32 million in 2021, Mozambique represents a potentially significant partner for La Réunion, offering a wide range of opportunities for cooperation in a variety of sectors, such as energy, agriculture and the environment.in sectors as diverse as agriculture and agri-food, aquaculture and fisheries, renewable energies, new technologies, vocational training, tourism and culture...
Mozambique's considerable needs in a variety of fields create opportunities for La Réunion to mobilize its technical expertise and develop mutually beneficial economic partnerships. In this respect, Mozambique remains a privileged partner for La Réunion, as evidenced by the presence of Réunionese companies (the Océinde, Fibres and Seanergy groups), as well as the activities of the Grand Port Mari- time de La Réunion.
- Cooperation -
In October 2003, under the presidency of Paul Vergès, President of Région Réunion, a delegation visited Maputo, Inhambane, Quélimane and Pemba, capital of Cabo Delgado province. On the occasion of this mission, the President of the Region signed the Joint Declaration of Intent between the Republic of Mozambique and the Government of the French Republic, laying the foundations for cooperation between the Province of Cabo Delgado and La Réunion.
- Economic cooperation
Significant support, with the help of In- terreg funds, was provided to ARDA (Agence de Recherche et de Développement Aquacole) for the implementation of the Programme d'Appui Réunionnais au Développe- ment de l'Aquaculture Mozambicaine (PARDAM). This enabled a Réunionese group to develop an aquaculture farm in Quélimane and a hatchery in Nacala.
Similarly, Région Réunion has supported the activities of Club Export Réunion, run in partnership with the Franco-Mozambique Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a view to developing business relations between Réunion and Mozambique.
- Economic cooperation in the field of vocational training
As part of the Interreg 2014-2020 program, the Grand Port Maritime de La Réunion has been able to carry out training activities in the port sector, thereby contributing to the modernization of ports in the Indian Ocean region, including the Port of Cabo Del Gado.
- Cultural cooperation
Intense exchanges, including exhibitions, artist residencies and cross-participation in festivals, have strengthened the ties between La Réunion and Mozambique. One of Région Réunion's flagship projects, with Mozambique in particular, focuses on the knowledge and promotion of traditional fighting arts, in this case Moringue.
- Health
The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de La Réunion has worked closely with the Pemba hospital in Mozambique, organizing training courses for Mozambican practitioners. This collaboration has strengthened medical skills and improved healthcare in the region.
Substantial support was also provided to La Réunion's Centre de recherche et de veille des maladies émer- gentes (Emerging Diseases Research and Monitoring Centre) to understand and prevent the epidemic risks associated with the disease.epidemic risks associated with dengue fever, chikungunya and Rift Valley fever, in conjunction with the Maputo National Health Institute.
- Commitment and mobility
Région Réunion has financed Volonta- riat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI) missions, notably for the benefit of the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Center and the Mozambican Ministry of Energy. In addition, a VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) position was financed within the Mozambican subsidiary of FIBRES.
It should also be noted that this year, thanks to the support of Région Réunion, young Mozambicans will be able to carry out reciprocal volunteer missions in La Réunion to support the teaching of Portuguese in secondary schools in the west of the island.
- The Interreg Céan Indien program -
Over the course of previous programs, numerous cooperation projects between Réunion and Mo- zambique have been co-financed by INTERREG OI. Of the 264 projects supported up to December 31, 2023, 56 involved a Mozambican partner, covering a wide range of fields as specified above. In 2022, Mozambique has again expressed its political agreement to participate in the new 2021-2027 program. This will enable Interreg funds to continue to be mobilized for cooperative projects between La Réunion and Mozambique.
- Decentralized partnership -
The town of Saint-Paul, which has been involved for several years in the international network of 7 Soleils 7 Lunes festivals, decided to host the annual Rencontres in La Réunion from April 4 to 7, 2024.
Every year, the town of Saint-Paul organizes the "7 Soleils, 7 Lunes" festival in conjunction with Léspas Leconte de Lisle, highlighting Portuguese-speaking culture. This year, the network's international meetings will welcome delegations from Cape Verde and Mozambique to La Réunion.
As part of a joint initiative between the city of Saint-Paul and Région Réunion, it has been proposed to welcome the mayor of the city of Quélimane, with a view to signing a decentralized cooperation agreement. This visit and agreement will strengthen ties of friendship and contribute to deepening the cooperative relationship between Reunion and Mozambique.
Concrete actions will be undertaken in the following areas:
- Culture and heritage: Enhancement of shared heritage, promotion of Indian Ocean languages, encouragement of cultural and artistic exchanges, support for joint cultural projects and organization of cultural events.
- Education: Facilitating the discovery of mutual cultural, artistic and sporting practices, promoting youth mobility, encouraging language exchanges, supporting the teaching of Portuguese and French, and strengthening the civic engagement of young people.
- Sport: Support for local sports partnerships, exchanges of expertise and sporting practices, and promotion of sporting activities such as Mo- ringue at school.
On the educational front, the Rectorat will be setting up Portuguese language workshops in schools in Saint-Paul, in conjunction with young Mozambican readers.
Source: imazpress.com/
