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It gives me great pleasure to express my support for
The Full Picture
. It is an excellent publication which will
undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing international dialogue around Earth observation data and systems.
This dialogue, which started at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002,
has led to the establishment of GEO, the Group on Earth Observations.
GEO was created to coordinate all the planet’s observing systems and to promote the sharing of
observation data. GEO will improve our understanding of the Earth system, while enhancing global policy
and decision-making abilities to establish a broad range of basic benefits to society, including the reduction
of loss of life and property from tsunamis, floods and other natural disasters; improved water resource and
energy management, and a better understanding of environmental factors significant to public health.
I am proud to say that South Africa has played a leading role in the development of the 10-year
Implementation Plan of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). For GEO to achieve its
objectives, it is vital that the membership include more representatives from developing countries. South
Africa is honoured to have been selected in Washington at the first Earth Observation Summit as one of the
four co-chairs of GEO, with the specific responsibility of bringing developing countries on board and putting
forward their perspectives. We believe that significant progress has already been made in this regard.
Nevertheless, South Africa would like to urge the GEO to continue its outreach and public awareness efforts,
which have already succeeded in significantly growing its membership since the first summit. The inclusion
of regional initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development in the development of GEOSS
has been critical. It is ultimately essential for GEO to interrogate and resolve issues such as making Earth
observation data available to developing countries at affordable costs.
We should continue to be guided by global engagements such as the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
and the Millennium Development Goals. Indeed, the creation of GEOSS is a significant landmark and one of
the first concrete realizations of the commitments made in Johannesburg in 2002.
The GEOSS is an excellent example of how countries around the world, both north and south, can pool
our meagre individual resources into a powerful international observation for global public good.
In conclusion, it gives me great pleasure to report that South Africa is eager to foster even stronger relations
within GEO, and to work towards realizing the objectives of the GEOSS, which will ultimately improve the
well-being of all our people. We look forward, as one of the GEO co-chairs, to continuing our committed,
active participation in the partnership.
Thabo Mbeki
President of South Africa
FOREWORD FROM THABO MBEKI, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA