GMES and Africa Regional Workshop (Eastern Africa) is launched in Madagascar

The East Africa GMES and Africa consortia are organising a regional workshop in Madagascar on 18 and 19 July 2024, with the support of the AUC and in partnership with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). The workshop will bring together the members of the two (2) consortia from the East African region led by ICPAC and RCMRD, their partners from the project countries, policy-makers, decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders.

The initiative aims to support respective national governments and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) by providing decision-ready information to strengthen regional policy frameworks for managing cross-boundary resources through active engagement in regional and continental activities. Additionally, establishing working relationships with RECs ensures that the program's results adequately inform policy development within the regions, thereby contributing to meeting societal needs and enriching the quality of life.

Objectives

The main objectives of the workshop are to raise awareness by engaging, dialoguing, networking, and creating awareness of GMES and Africa Phase II among East Africa stakeholders, including decision and policy makers, the private sector, academia, and end users. The workshop aims to foster collaboration by creating a platform for knowledge exchange and networking among EO users, providers, and policymakers in East Africa, identifying opportunities for GMES and Africa products and services utilization for decision making and policy formulation in Eastern African countries, including Indian Ocean Islands. Additionally, the workshop will involve sharing case studies and experiences in the use of EO to address land degradation, coastal erosion, coastal flooding, and shoreline monitoring. It will also identify priorities by collecting and discussing feedback and further needs on the developed products and services on how EO can contribute to addressing key regional challenges. Finally, the workshop aims to build capacity by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to access and utilize EO data and tools.

Approach 

The workshop will include a mix of plenary sessions, dedicated thematic presentations, interactive workshops, and demonstrations of EO tools and applications. Case studies highlighting successful applications of EO across various sectors in East Africa will be presented

Expected outcomes

Stakeholders are engaged on the role of Earth Observation in sustainable development policy making. And opportunities are identified for the GMES & Africa Project to work with stakeholders to align existing products and services based on the feedback received.

Expected participants

The workshop will involve decision makers from government institutions, ensuring that policies and strategies are informed by the latest Earth Observation data and technologies. Partner institutions, which include research bodies and educational establishments, will contribute their expertise and resources to support collaborative efforts. International and regional organizations will participate to provide a broader perspective and facilitate cross-border cooperation and knowledge sharing. Additionally, the private sector will be engaged to explore commercial applications and innovations that can drive sustainable development through the use of geospatial data and services.