1. World Summit on Sustainable Development 1 Summary Conclusions and Recommendations Prof. Walter Erdelen IGOS Co-Chair Assistant Director-General, UNESCO

2. World Summit on Sustainable Development 2 The Challenge How to integrate environmental observation data with socio-economic information for better decision making ?

3. World Summit on Sustainable Development 3 Today, a “fleet” of Earth observation satellites with complementary capabilities is available Imaging sensors (1 meter – 1 km), radar to “penetrate” clouds, atmospheric sensors, oceanic sensors In-situ data collection systems needed to complement space-provided data Major efforts have been undertaken in data collection and harmonization by international organisations (WMO, IOC, UNESCO, FAO, etc.) Socio-economic data have become increasingly important for a better understanding of coupled human-natural systems Summary

4. World Summit on Sustainable Development 4 Major progress has been made in the understanding of Earth processes (El Niño, climate change, disaster mitigation, land degradation, desertification, etc.) Growing interest in consequences of industrial transformation, land use change and mega-cities Summary

5. World Summit on Sustainable Development 5 1.Need to ensure continuity of observing systems (space and terrestrial/in-situ systems) at local, national, regional and global scales Mechanisms exist today: CEOS, IGOS Need to be consolidated  2 Type-2 Partnerships have been proposed at WSSD Recommendations

6. World Summit on Sustainable Development 6 2.Need to create equivalent observing systems for socio-economic issues at local, regional and global scales Major effort needed to identify and define appropriate indicators On the socio-economic side there is no equivalent mechanism to IGOS WSSD offers a unique opportunity to stimulate the creation of such a mechanism Recommendations

7. World Summit on Sustainable Development 7 3.Need to develop awareness and promote use of space technologies in support to Sustainable Development 4.Need for a process to integrate environmental and socio-economic information products and develop integrated models Recommendations

8. World Summit on Sustainable Development 8 5. WSSD offers unique opportunity to: Acknowledge/re-affirm high importance of Earth observation from space and in situ SD (role of CEOS-IGOS to be re-enforced) Stimulate cooperation between government and private sector in data collection and production of information for decision makers Assist developing countries, which lack resources to deal with consequences of environmental and socio-economic changes  need for transfer of knowledge, technology and resources Recommendations