The UAE Space Agency highlighted the importance of satellite and space technology for environmental monitoring purposes at the currently ongoing Eye of Earth Summit 2015, being held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The event which kicked off yesterday (October 6) will run until tomorrow (October 8) at St Regis, Saadiyat Island.

Director general Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi speaking at the summit explained that the UAE Space Agency will support international collaboration through space agency cooperation to promote the use of space assets that facilitate joint environmental research projects.

The UAE Space Agency will support and harmonise access to Earth observation monitoring resources from international organisations and locally generated data from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)’s DubaiSat.

Al Ahbabi highlighted the importance of the summit as it aims to promote dialogue and drive international action that revolutionizes the way that data and information is collected, accessed, shared and used for real-world change.

The director general provided attendees of the summit with an introduction to the UAE Space Agency, strategy of the UAE Space sector, initiatives and programmes.

The agency also outlined its strategic priorities that determine how the UAE will utilise space technology and science to contribute in improving humans’ lives and to ensure proprietary of UAE nationals.”

Eye on Earth was established in 2011 at the first Eye on Earth Summit in Abu Dhabi through a partnership of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Agedi and Unep.

This led to the creation of the 2011 Eye on Earth Summit Declaration – a set of 14 governing principles prescribing how to integrate and enhance data for sustainable development.

The 2011 Summit also resulted in the formation of eight Special Initiatives whose community members and transformational projects, located all over the world, are key to realising Eye on Earth’s overall mission.

Dr Al Ahbabi speaking at the Summit said: “Space assets are our ‘Eyes on Earth’ and enable us to perform Earth Observation.”

“GNSS and satellite communications are indispensable tools for environmental monitoring and management and help pave the way for a sustainable, safe and ecologically balanced environment,” he said.

“The UAE Space Agency strongly believes in the value of a sustainable healthy environment and we will endeavour as part of our mandate to promote earth monitoring and tracking not only for the benefit of the UAE but for the benefit of all mankind and for all future generations by safeguarding the health of our precious plant,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service