Lord Sainsbury of Turville

COMMITTEE ON EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES (CEOS) MEETING

It is only by bringing together international communities such as yourselves that we can truly tackle the global dangers that face us today. The Earth Observation community in particular has a major role to play in monitoring climate change and major disasters around the world. This has been tragically brought to our attention this year through major events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis.

With the growth in the number of international space missions the role of CEOS in coordinating and promoting international cooperation of the space community becomes even more vital. It represents an extremely important contribution to Earth Observation.

To make the best use of all of our resources we must continue to avoid duplication of effort. We must coordinate our programmes so we build a truly international global network that can respond to our needs. CEOS has done this successfully for space-borne earth observation missions over the last 21 years. But the need for coordination goes wider than the space community.

The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) was established at the first Earth Observation Summit (EOS-1) in July 2003 to deliver wider coordination and to increase awareness of the need. As you are aware GEO has sought to bring together Earth Observation communities at the political level. I know that CEOS will be discussing later during this Plenary how best it can contribute to this effort. I am sure that CEOS can make a significant contribution to helping GEO coordinate Earth Observation information from both in-situ and space sources so together we can address world requirements.

In order to achieve its goals the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10 year Implementation Plan identifies 9 Societal Benefit Areas on which GEO will focus. Methods are currently under development to address these through the use and enhancement of established mechanisms. CEOS has a key role to play. CEOS can provide GEO many years of experience as an organisation which coordinates and represents the international space community.

I understand that the new GEO Director, Prof Jose Achache, will be addressing you later. I am sure that this will lead to a stimulating discussion and help to illuminate the role of CEOS within GEO.

In addition Europe through the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC) is currently working to develop the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security system (GMES). This will establish and develop services related to environmental policy and civil security that are responsive to user requirements. Initially these services will fulfil European needs but is envisaged as a key European contribution to GEO.

Environmental monitoring linked to establishing a better understanding of climate change is high on the world’s agenda. Climate Change and Africa were the two priorities of our G8 Presidency this year and GEOSS is relevant to both. G8 leaders meeting at Gleneagles committed to national implementation of GEOSS, to support the efforts to help developing countries obtain the full benefit of this work and to strengthen, through the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), existing climate institutions in Africa. GEO and its GEOSS Implementation Plan were identified as major future contributors in providing and coordinating a mechanism to acquire such information.

I understand that CEOS has already been actively helping to provide experts to participate in the GEO Working Groups, a first step towards forging a strong relationship for the future.

The UK also currently holds the Presidency of the European Union, and we are working closely with our European colleagues to ensure that Earth Observation technologies are put to best use in meeting some of the commitments to Africa's sustainable development entered into at the G8 Gleneagles Summit.

In partnership with Africa's Meteorological Services, new receiving stations have been installed in every African nation. All 53 African countries now have access to signals from the first of the MeteoSat Second Generation satellite, whilst digital video broadcast technology also provides access to other forms of data and processed information. European Union funding for the Africa Monitoring for Environment and Sustainable Development (AMESD) programme, a GMES contribution for Africa, has been secured. Coordinated by the African Union, AMESD will foster the use of Earth Observation data for the operational management of environmental resources. And the Africa Observatory for Sustainable Development is being developed by the European Commission's services in partnership with research centres and space agencies in the EU's Member States, together with African Institutions and UN Agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The Observatory will use satellite observations and computer modelling to support the European Union's humanitarian aid and crisis response, to help in the sustainable management of Africa's natural resources, and to improve crop production forecasts and food security across the continent.

At this point I have pleasure in announcing an important development for those countries that are partners in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, more commonly known as DMC. The Board of the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters has agreed that the constellation will operate alongside other Charter operators when disasters strike and the Charter is activated.

DMC is currently formed of four satellites individually owned by Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey and the UK. Working co-operatively they have the ability to provide daily images, providing an additional capability for information to help in disaster response.

Co-ordination of the DMC partners is achieved through the UK based company DMC International Imaging. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is currently providing support to DMCII and will represent the UK on the Charter Board. Other consortium members will also be able to assist at Board meetings.

While mentioning the DMC, I would like to congratulate Minister Xu on the successful launch of Beijing 1, which took place on the 27 October. We look forward to the possibility of China also working with other DMC partners within the Charter.

The International Earth Observation community is very strong. Its role in the monitoring of our planet is vital if we are to understand the long-term normal cycle of events and the effects that we may be having on the environment in which we live. The UK through BNSC has both a strong industrial and science capability. We participate actively in a wide range of international partnerships including the European Space Agency Earth Observation Programmes. The UK has been pleased to take on the role of CEOS chairmanship and looks forward to supporting its activities in the future.

I wish you a very successful meeting and look forward to learning more of the outcomes at the Dinner at Lancaster House on Wednesday evening.