Your Excellencies Embassadors,  

Mister President of CODATA  

Mister President of CODATA SENEGAL,  

Ladies and gentlemen,  

At first, I must apologize on behalf of M. Madior DIOUF, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research whose schedule is disturbed by an unexpected government meeting, thus preventing him from chairing this opening ceremony.  

Secondly, I would like to welcome all our distinguished guests in Dakar and wish them a useful and pleasant stay in Senegal.  

Thirdly, considering this workshop’s topic one cannot but emphasize both its relevance and timeliness in the framework of the ongoing scientific and technological revolution worldwide.  

Specially in Africa, “handling and exchanging scientific and technical data for development” are of paramount importance. Therefore, our department is keen to receive the results of your discussion on issues related to the collection, mining, handling and use of this type of data into a national, regional and global network.  

Now, it is common place to say that in the era of information society, knowledge is power. Consequently, scientific and technical data production, assessment, distribution and use are keys to Africa empowerment during the forthcoming 21^st century ; the major challenge being to reduce unequal access to data and to suppress barriers between producers and users in order to increase their interactions’ efficiency.  

Furthermore, African scientists and engineers ought to establish, strengthen and expand a multidisciplinary information system likely to support an integrated program of experiences exchange useful to Africa and the rest of the world.  

It is high time for Africans to reverse the current trend and stop being passive receivers or consumers of imported date hitherto to becoming active producers and creators of original knowledge.  

Among many others, these are the reasons why I am pleased to wish full success to your debates and  

I declare open CODATA Africa’s first International Workshop.  

Thank you for your attention.  

Dr Dialo DIOP
Cabinet Director