South Africas hosting of the Third Meeting of

South Africa’s hosting of the Third Meeting of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO-3) Daan du Toit Manager: Strategic Partnerships Department of Science and Technology

GEO – a unique global partnership n n GEO is a dynamic global partnership formed to develop a new comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable Earth Observation System to support decisionmaking for sustainable development SA co-chairs the GEO with the European Commission, Japan and the United States SA will host 3 rd Meeting from 23 -27 February 2004 in Cape Town High-profile international event – approximately 200 senior international delegates attending

Overview of Presentation n n Need for GEO Founding of GEO SA’s election as GEO Co-Chair 3 rd Meeting of the GEO

Need for GEO n n Need for optimal Earth observation capacities to provide data for informed decision-making, eliminating high costs of uncertainty Earth observations: satellite, airborne, terrestrial or airborne based observations of geophysical parameters – e. g. precipitation, soil moisture or salinity of oceans Earth observations proven its worth in estimating crop yields, monitoring water and air quality, improving airline safety, predicting weather Earth observation data inform policy-making for e. g. with regard to droughts, floods, fires, disease or transport / energy challenges

Founding of GEO n n n Established at Earth Observation Summit held in Washington, D. C. in July 2003 to consider response to WSSD commitments with regard to Earth Observation 34 participating nations committed to intensify international collaboration in Earth observation Signed Washington Declaration

Washington Declaration n n Enhancing international coordination of national Earth observation systems and strategies; Addressing Earth observation capacitybuilding needs of developing countries; Improving the international exchange of data recorded from earth observations; Preparing a ten-year Implementation Plan for the development of a new comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable global Earth observation system

Founding of GEO (2) n Washington Summit: • Established and mandated GEO to develop ten-year Implementation Plan before the end of 2004 • Request GEO to submit to Second Earth Observation Summit to be held in Tokyo in April 2004 a Framework Document serving as outline for the detailed Implementation Plan

South Africa’s election as Co-Chair n n n SA elected at Washington Summit by developing country members as Co-Chair representative Cabinet in October 2003 approved designation of Dr Rob Adam, Director. General of the DST as SA’s representative for position of Co-Chair Opportunity for SA continue leading contribution to implementation of WSSD Johannesburg Plan of Implementation

Priorities for SA as Co-Chair n Promote interests of developing countries: • Capacity-building expertise and infrastructure • Access at minimum and affordable cost to Earth observation data n Broaden GEO membership to include more developing, especially African countries

Strategic opportunity n n Advance implementation of NEPAD science and technology and environment programmes Build relationships and partnerships with other Co -Chairs: • Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, the United States’ Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere • Mr Akio Yuki, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology • Mr Achilleas Mitsos, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General: Research

3 rd Meeting of the GEO n n n 1 st : Washington, D. C. in July 2003 2 nd: Baveno, Italy in November 2003 (progress review) Objectives of 3 rd meeting: • Reach consensus on GEO Framework Document • Decide on modalities for preparation of detailed Implementation Plan

GEO-3 Programme n n Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre 23 -24 February 2004: Working Sessions: GEO Secretariat and Expert Subgroups (Capacity Building, International Cooperation, Architecture, Data Utilisation, User Requirements) 25 -27 February 2004: GEO-3 plenary meeting SA organisation: DST, DEAT, DWAF, DFA, SAWS, CSIR-SAC, etc.

Conclusion n n Portfolio Committee will be kept informed of progress and outcomes of GEO-3 Objective: GEO to enable a rapid, concrete improvement in the quality of living of citizens GEO: Truly global partnership – impact of phenomena such as El Nino spans all borders Public awareness and understanding on the importance of Earth observation will be promoted. Thank you