La Réunion Region and BRGM strengthen their strategic partnership

Following the framework agreement signed a year ago, Jean-Pierre Chabriat, Regional Councillor for Higher Education, Research and Energy Transition, and Ingrid Girardeau, Director of BRGM Réunion, signed a Contract of Objectives, Resources and Performance for the period 2025-2028 at the Hôtel de Région on Tuesday 16 December.

The contract has two main strategic objectives:

• Improving knowledge of the island’s deep geological formations, to support energy sovereignty (geothermal energy).
• The study of natural hazards and the impact of rivers on coastal areas, to protect people and adapt to climate change.

These are complemented by cross-cutting objectives, in particular sustainable water-management.

Strengthening La Réunion's position as a research region in the Indian Ocean

Since 2023, the Region has been structuring its partnerships with major research bodies through framework agreements and strategically-oriented contracts. Their aim is to consider the impact of research on the region, from the scheduling of research to exploiting its results, on the basis of shared objectives and resources.

To support public policies, the contract’s deliverables include decision-making tools for local authorities. It will encourage the sharing of scientific data from European research projects and strengthen regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean. It will enable: 

• better anticipation of natural hazards and strengthening of La Réunion's resilience,
• support for the island's energy transition (geothermal energy),
• sustainable management of water and subsurface resources,
• support for regional governance by producing data and expertise,
• the development of the New Economy supported by the Region, which is knowledge-based, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.

It includes a list of monitoring, resource and performance indicators designed to measure the achievement of objectives, and will be assessed annually by a steering committee.