The UAE has become the latest member of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), a voluntary partnership of governments and organizations that was established in 2005 to promote the open access to Earth Observation data for the benefit of all humankind.

GEO Member governments include over 100 nations, and almost as many participating organizations comprised of international bodies with a mandate in Earth Observation (EO).

Dr Khalifa Al Rumaithi, the chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: "Joining the Group on Earth Observations is in line with our efforts to support the country's space sector, strengthening the UAE’s global presence, establishing international relations according to the country’s strategic goals, and contributing to the overall development of the sector is all areas.”

The GEO community is creating a Global EO System of Systems that will link EO resources world-wide across multiple societal benefit areas.

These include areas such as biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability, disaster resilience, energy and mineral resources management, food security and sustainable agriculture, infrastructure & transportation management and many others.

By becoming an active member of GEO the UAE hopes to play a constructive and effective role in shaping international policy relating to the open access of EO data that maximises the benefits to those who most need access to such data but may not be in a position to afford it,  for example an impoverished disaster stricken regions, said a senior official.

"The GEO recognizes that full and open access to Earth observation data, information and knowledge is critical for humanity as it tackles social, economic and environmental challenges at global, regional, national and local levels," remarked director general of the (UAE SA) Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi.

"We are thrilled to become members of the GEO and work with international organizations to help develop the concept of open access to EO data," he added.

The UAE SA has been mandated to define the national policy and regulations for the UAE Space sector which would promote the use of space for the monitoring and protection of the environment and for disaster management, and includes matters on how data generated from space assets can be distributed and shared, which is a major topic of discussion within GEO.

Space assets, such as Remote Sensing satellites, capable of performing EO, Global Navigation Satellite System (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, said the country's space agency.

The UAE SA strongly believes in the value of a sustainable healthy environment, and will endeavour as part of its mandate to promote all the above mentioned Space activities not only for the benefit of the UAE as a nation but for the benefit of all human kind and for all future generations by safeguarding the health of our precious plant, Earth.

Lauding the move, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the secretary general, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), said: "Both EAD and the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) have been collaborating with GEO through the Eye on Earth movement for a number of years; a relationship which was strengthened during the second Eye on Earth Summit held in Abu Dhabi last October."

"Since the early nineties EAD has been utilising Earth Observation imagery and satellite telemetry to aid our international wildlife conservation efforts; and this trend continues to date," he added.-TradeArabia News Service