Our members

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development) is an internationally recognised multidisciplinary organisation, working mainly in partnership with countries in the Mediterranean and intertropical zone.

Our identity

IRD is a French public research establishment operating under the joint authority of the French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It takes an original approach to research, expertise, training and knowledge-sharing for the benefit of countries and regions, making science and innovation key drivers in their development.

A science committed to a sustainable future

Scientific progress is necessary to further sustainable and human development: IRD carries this conviction with it wherever it is present, and wherever it works with its partners.

IRD is a key French player on the international development agenda. Its work is founded on an original model: equitable scientific partnership with developing countries, primarily those in the intertropical regions and the Mediterranean area.

IRD sets its priorities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015, to steer development policies. Combining critical analysis into the implementation of these goals, IRD seeks to tackle the challenges facing us today: global, environmental, economic, social and cultural changes that affect the whole planet.

The audiovisual department at IRD, which contributes to “science for and with society”, coordinates all audiovisual productions, from design to production, distribution, preservation and promotion. It provides a link between scientists and audiovisual professionals and ensures that knowledge is shared with a wide audience.