UN Technology Bank and UNOOSA partner to expand the use of satellite data in LDCs

mbuldys — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 18:21:00 +0000

sahara_desert_nasa.jpg

The Sahara Desert.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Follow

Gebze – Satellite data will be easier to access and use in least developed countries, thanks to a new partnership between the �鶹APP Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The new collaboration will enhance the capacity and skills of policy and decision makers to access different types of space infrastructure. This will include data and applications that can help in disaster management cycles, planning for climate change adaptation and natural resource management.

Both organisations will also join forces to identify and support the acceleration of sustainable development through the use of space technologies and contribute to global health-related challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo said: “Through this agreement, we aim to bring space technology where it is most needed, helping some of the countries most exposed to disasters, to the effects of climate change and to challenges such as pandemics, acquire tools and capabilities to counteract them effectively. This cooperation will combine the UN Technology Bank’s established network among LDCs and its knowledge of their specific challenges with UNOOSA’s expertise in space applications for sustainable development, helping save and improve lives.”

"Access to timely satellite data allows governments and industries to share information, to make informed decisions, to act on time, and to provide new applications in critical areas of development for Least Developed Countries," said Joshua Setipa, UN Technology Bank’s Managing Director. "The partnership and collaboration between the two agencies will focus on enhancing the capacity of experts and supporting policy- and decision-makers to access and use all types of space-based information that support the full disaster management cycle. Improving the understanding of how LDCs use space-based solutions to address climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and natural resources management will promote the achievement of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda."

Download the press release

Front Page Article:

Is this a front page article?

Front Page Articles Columns:

First Column

Experts and policy-makers share knowledge on potential benefits of geospatial technologies for Uganda

mbuldys — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 19:42:00 +0000

lake_george_uganda_eesa.jpg

Seen from above, the waters of Lake George, Uganda.

European Space Agency, Flickr

Kampala – Uganda stands to benefit from the range of evolving technological tools used to geographically map and analyse the earth and human activities, known as geospatial technologies. A special workshop for policy makers in Kampala today, raised awareness of the important role that these new technologies could play in support of development efforts in the country.

The event, organized by the UN Technology Bank in partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme – UNOSAT, followed a one-week course in which local experts were trained in the use and interpretation of satellite imagery, with a specific focus on disaster risk management.

“This workshop, provided timely platform to demystify geospatial technologies and raise awareness of the important role, that they can play supporting Uganda’s development efforts,” said Dr. Maxwel Otim Onapa, Director of Science, Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uganda.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will continue to strive for stronger Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem through collaboration, coordination and partnerships at national, regional and at international levels.

Geospatial technologies and remote sensing offer a crucial location element to the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets and indicators. Allowing for example, specific and accurate data before intervening by mitigation, preventing or responding to natural hazards, climate change impacts, household economics and disaster risk reduction.

“The �鶹APP Technology Bank is excited to be part of this workshop and training, something we plan to replicate in Mozambique and The Gambia this year,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director for the �鶹APP Technology Bank. “Least developed countries face barriers in adopting and staying up to date with the changing technology. We hope that this series of workshops in Africa will help to build awareness and boost support for these important technological tools.”

Despite the tremendous potential geospatial technologies offer international development, a gap still exists between the world of technology and that of decision and policymakers, particularly in least developed countries. Limited technology capacity and traditional fears that prevent their Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation uptake in policymaking persist and their rapidly evolving nature makes it difficult for practitioners to track updates about the potential use and application of technologies, such as geographic information systems and remote sensing.

“With orbiting satellites generating increasing amounts of data, the future of earth observation is now moving from data to information. UNOSAT is fully committed to leverage new developments of Earth Orbital technology in least developed countries by enhancing capacities and empowering Governments to access key information for informed decision-making,” said Einar Bjorgo, Director of UNITAR’ Division for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research.

Geospatial information, technology, satellite imagery, analysis and data visualization will play a central role in understanding the geographic extent and severity of disaster events. Today’s workshop raised awareness among senior government officials and decision makers on geospatial information technology as an evidence-based data for analysis, processing and usage methodology.