On September 16-17, 2024, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) co-organized a regional seminar titled “Earth Observations for Sustainable Development Goals: Technologies, Spectrum, Applications, Impacts” in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The seminar aimed to enhance understanding of the critical role Earth observation technologies play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to promote collaboration on this urgent global agenda.
Experts from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KAZCOSMOS), the National Centre for Space Studies of France (CNES), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), WMO, and ITU participated in the event, sharing their insights and experiences in using Earth observation technologies for SDGs. Their participation underscored the global significance of collaboration in addressing challenges such as climate change and resource management.
Prof. Guo Huadong, Director General of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), delivered an academic presentation titled “SDGSAT-1 Mission and Its Role in SDG Indicators Monitoring and Measuring.” He discussed the mission and operational status of SDGSAT-1, emphasizing its substantial contributions to monitoring SDG indicators. As the world’s first scientific satellite specifically designed to support the 2030 Agenda, SDGSAT-1 has provided valuable data to 104 countries through its Open Science Program, aiding in environmental monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Prof. Guo stressed the urgency of establishing a global remote sensing monitoring system to deliver precise geospatial data for tracking SDG progress, especially with only seven years remaining until the 2030 deadline.
The seminar also featured discussions on the latest technological advancements in Earth observation and meteorology, reinforcing the critical role high-quality data plays in achieving the SDGs. Attendees unanimously agreed on the importance of Earth observation data in addressing global challenges. The seminar provided a valuable platform for experts to exchange ideas and foster collaboration, promoting international information sharing and cooperation in the pursuit of sustainable development.