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Regrettably, natural disasters continue to devastate the lives of people across the globe. According to the United
Nations, in 2007 South Asia experienced some of the worst monsoon flooding in living memory. South Africa’s
northeastern neighbour, Mozambique, is recovering from the combined effects of drought, Cyclone Favio and
floods which hit that country in the first quarter of this year.
These disasters highlight, once again, the critical need for international collaboration on Earth observation to
improve global capacity to predict disasters and mitigate their effects. Shared Earth observation data can also
assist us to tackle the challenges of sustainable development, environmental degradation and climate change.
I believe it is fitting that the fourth ministerial summit of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) takes place
in South Africa, under the same African skies it was first conceptualised – at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in 2002.
Since then, GEO has grown to incorporate 71 member countries, the European Commission, and 46
participating organizations. We have endorsed the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-
Year Implementation Plan, and formally established the GEO to implement it.
South Africa is honoured to host this summit, and we see it as an acknowledgement of Africa’s contribution
to the promotion and development of Earth observation. Already, 15 African countries have signed up as
members of GEO, with Morocco and South Africa sitting on the GEO Executive Committee. This is a clear
demonstration of Africa’s commitment to active participation in developing sustainable societies.
Understanding the Earth system is crucial to enhancing human health and safety, and alleviating poverty, which
are priorities for African governments.
Africa, which often bears the brunt of environmental change, looks to this forum to help us realize a future
where economic and developmental decisions will be informed by coordinated and comprehensive Earth
observations.
As the GEO we have a responsibility to ensure that we deliver on the targets set in the GEOSS 10-year
Implementation Plan. I believe that this is an opportune time to reflect on the progress made in implementing
the plan, and to consider matters affecting its future successful implementation.
The Full Picture is a landmark publication, which illustrates and draws attention to the social and economic
benefits the GEOSS Implementation Plan can bring.
Paging through this book, we can be proud of the way the science and technology community is working
towards the realization of the commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg five years ago.
Mosibudi Mangena
Minister of Science & Technology, Republic of South Africa
STATEMENT FROM MOSIBUDI MANGENA,
MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA