A gathering of African service providers, end users and policy makers has commenced discussions on the role of earth observation in powering environmental sustainability and economic growth on the continent. The stakeholders, who also include scientists, academics and development partners, are meeting under the banner of the Pan-African programme called Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security, and Africa (GMES and Africa).

The Forum, which is underway in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, is a platform for consultation, networking and idea sharing on the deployment of earth observation tools, technologies and applications towards Africa’s sustainable development. The African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation believes the compass of the convergence reflect the AU’s vision for an Africa of innovation, enterprise and sustainable development. Her Excellency Commissioner Sarah Anyang Agbor, says earth observation does have enormous potential to contribute to the development of African economies.

The GMES and Africa Forum is the second of its kind since the programme’s inception in 2016. This year’s edition focuses on sustainable environmental management and the promotion of economic growth through the use of earth observation data, products and services. Through the theme, the discussions are expected to unravel the continuing challenges posed to the growth of the industry in Africa by limited collaboration and inadequate access to data, infrastructure and technologies.

At the Abidjan Forum, the community of African earth observation practitioners and users will capitalize on the opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas and practices, and for partnership building. They are expected to trade knowledge, skills and solutions based on earth observation technology. Embraced by the Ivorian Ministers of Environment and Sustainable Development, and Higher Education and Scientific Research respectively, the five-day Forum will also reflect on the execution of GMES and Africa’s mandate of policy coordination and promotion of natural resources management in Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube