Terms of Reference for GEO Work Programme Working

Terms of Reference for GEO Work Programme Working Groups 16 th GEO Programme Board Meeting Agenda Item 2. 1 Geneva, Switzerland 5 -7 February 2020 GEO Secretariat

Changes common to all Working Groups Purpose § General statement supporting implementation of the Canberra Declaration. Membership § § § By nomination of a GEO Member, PO, or Associate. By invitation of the Programme Board. PB may place limits on the number of members to a WG from individual Members/POs/Associates or by category. Reporting § WGs report at least annually to the PB (not the Secretariat). Other § § Secretariat Points of Contact removed from the To. Rs, to allow for changes in Secretariat staff assignments. Minor wording changes to align with other documents.

Changes specific to one Working Group Capacity Development § Removed item in Duties related to the GEO Knowledge Hub (pending approval by Executive Committee). Disaster Risk Reduction § Purpose revised to place emphasis on support to countries in their efforts, not to the Sendai Framework itself. § Scientific organizations added to Membership section.

Changes specific to one Working Group Climate § Name changed to “Climate Change WG”. § Greater focus in Duties to supporting countries in their efforts, both in implementing adaptation and mitigation actions as well as in meeting reporting requirements. § References to UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement retained, but WG not limited only to those. § Added communication with outside partners, including through dedicated meetings and workshops. § Language broadened (less specific) in several areas.

Changes specific to one Working Group Data [Sharing and Data Management] § Fundamental shift in focus – no longer the merger of the previous DSWG and the GEOSS Evolve data management team – now seen as a new concept aimed at providing high-level advice to GEO on data policy. § Name changed to just “Data Working Group”. § Purpose shifted from data sharing and management to data policy, ethics and governance. § Duties related to data sharing, management, and value removed. § Duty added regarding discussions of data-related topics with stakeholder communities.