2026 GEO Symposium / GEO-21 Plenary

26-28 May 26
WMO,
Geneva, Switzerland

Full Schedule

26 May

Tuesday,09:00 - 18:15
09:00-10:00
Salle Obasi

2026 GEO Symposium Opening Session

Moderator: Wenbo Chu, Work Programme Officer, GEO Secretariat

Welcome and opening remarks

  • Yana Gevorgyan, GEO Secretariat Director

Setting the scene

  • Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Programme Board Co-chair
  • Amos Kabo-Bah, Programme Board Co-chair
  • Justyna Nicinska, Programme Board Co-chair

Keynote speech

  • Wang Jian, Director of Zhejiang Lab

Housekeeping

  • Moderator
Wenbo Chu
Wenbo ChuModerator,GEO Secretariat
Yana Gevorgyan
Yana GevorgyanSpeaker,GEO Secretariat
Evangelos Gerasopoulos
Evangelos GerasopoulosSpeaker,Programme Board
Amos Kabo-Bah
Amos Kabo-BahSpeaker,Programme Board
Justyna Nicinska
Justyna NicinskaSpeaker,Programme Board
Wang Jian
Wang JianSpeaker,Zhejiang Lab
10:00-11:15
Salle Obasi

2026 GEO Symposium Town Hall - Exploring New Models for Implementing the Post-2025 GEO Work Programme

As GEO advances the Post-2025 Strategy, there is a growing need to strengthen how the GEO Work Programme (GWP) activities are designed, implemented, evaluated, and sustained. This town hall will explore new and evolving models for implementing GWP activities, with a focus on co-design with users, public-private partnerships, and financially and organizationally sustainable arrangements such as hosting models and distributed governance. Building on practical experiences from across the GEO community, panelists will also demonstrate how measurable results attract investment, guide decision-making, and ensure accountability to users and partners.

The discussion will highlight approaches for defining and using indicators and metrics that capture user value, adoption, sustainability, and scalability of Earth Intelligence solutions. Participants will engage in an interactive dialogue on how GEO can support consistent yet flexible measurement practices across GWP activities, strengthening learning, transparency, and investment readiness while maintaining a strong focus on user needs.

Andiswa Mlisa
Andiswa MlisaModerator,SPC
Antje Hecheltjen
Antje HecheltjenSpeaker,GEO-LDN
Jerker Tamelander
Jerker TamelanderSpeaker,GEO-WETLANDS
Martyn Clark
Martyn ClarkSpeaker,GHRS
Justyna Nicinska
Justyna NicinskaSpeaker,Programme Board
11:15-11:45

Group Photo + Coffee Break

13:00-14:00

Lunch

15:15-15:30

Coffee Break

15:30-16:45
Salle C2

Community Event - Earth Observations in Support of Marine Protected Areas

16:45-17:00

Coffee Break

27 May

Wednesday,08:45 - 18:00
08:45-10:00
Salle Obasi

2026 GEO Symposium Town Hall - Harnessing Innovative Technologies for Earth Intelligence Solutions

This town hall session will spotlight how cutting-edge technologies - such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, digital twins, drones and very-high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery - are transforming Earth Intelligence (EI) into actionable, decision-ready solutions. Drawing on real examples from GEO Work Programme (GWP) activities, panelists will demonstrate how these technologies are being applied to address pressing challenges in areas such as agriculture, biodiversity, disaster risk reduction and Urban Resilience.

The discussion will focus on what it takes to scale technology-enabled EI solutions, including the role of open data and open knowledge, interoperable platforms, partnerships, and investment. Participants will engage in a forward-looking dialogue on how GEO can accelerate the responsible, scalable and sustainable adoption of innovative technologies to maximize impact for users worldwide.

Mark Dowell
Mark DowellModerator,JRC
Sven Gilliams
Sven GilliamsSpeaker,GEOGLAM
Audrey Hasson
Audrey HassonSpeaker,GEO Blue Planet
Yifang Ban
Yifang BanSpeaker,AI4EO
Vincent-Henri Peuch
Vincent-Henri PeuchSpeaker,ECMWF
10:00-10:15

Coffee Break

11:30-11:45

Coffee Break

13:00-14:00

Lunch

14:00-15:15
Salle C1

Community Event - Relational Earth Intelligence: Indigenous frameworks for biodiversity and ethical AI governance

14:00-15:15
Salle C2

Community Event - AI4EO: Advancing Earth Intelligence through artificial intelligence and Earth observation

15:15-15:30

Coffee Break

16:45-17:00

Coffee Break

17:00-18:00
Salle Obasi

2026 GEO Symposium Closing Session

Moderator: Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Programme Board Co-chair

Video re-cap of the Symposium

Highlights of sessions

Celebrating the success of GWP Flagships

Closing remarks

  • Yana Gevorgyan, GEO Secretariat Director
Evangelos Gerasopoulos
Evangelos GerasopoulosModerator,Programme Board
Yana Gevorgyan
Yana GevorgyanSpeaker,GEO Secretariat

28 May

Thursday,09:00 - 18:00
09:00-10:15

GEO-21 Plenary GEO-21 Plenary Session 1: Opening Session

Welcome and opening remarks from the European Union, GEO Lead Co-Chair

  • Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission

Opening remarks from China, GEO Co-Chair

  • Jiachang Chen, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), China

Opening remarks from South Africa, GEO Co-Chair

  • Humbulani Mudau, Chief Executive Officer, South African National Space Agency (SANSA), South Africa

Opening remarks from the United States, GEO Co-Chair

  • Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States

Opening remarks from the GEO Secretariat

  • Yana Gevorgyan, Director, GEO Secretariat

Approval of Plenary agenda

Approval of Draft Report of GEO-20 Plenary

Presentation of new Members, Participating Organizations and Associates

Intervention by Togo as new GEO Member:

  • Yoma Baka, Director General, National Civil Protection Agency, Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, Togo / Manuel Ntumba, Executive Vice President, Tod'Aérs Global Network, Togo
Yana Gevorgyan
Yana GevorgyanSpeaker,GEO Secretariat
Manuel Ntumba
Manuel NtumbaSpeaker,Togo
Yoma Baka
Yoma BakaSpeaker,Togo
Taylor Jordan
Taylor JordanSpeaker,United States
Jiachang Chen
Jiachang ChenSpeaker,China
Joanna Drake
Joanna DrakeSpeaker,European Union
Humbulani Mudau
Humbulani MudauSpeaker,South Africa
10:15-10:45

Group Photo + Coffee Break

10:45-12:00

GEO-21 Plenary Session 2: Transformational Impact in Action: Programme Results Driving Earth Intelligence Investment

This session will highlight the transformational impact achieved by GEO Work Programme Flagships through concrete, real-world results. Project leads will share user-driven stories that demonstrate how Earth Intelligence solutions are improving decision-making, strengthening resilience, and unlocking value for countries and communities. The panel will showcase how investments and public-private partnerships - both financial and in-kind - translate into measurable outcomes. Participants will be invited to reflect on lessons learned and the opportunities to scale successful approaches across the GEO ecosystem.

Panel Session

Moderator: Madeeha Bajwa, Chief Work Programme Coordinator, GEO Secretariat

Speakers:

  • H.E. Esi Awuah, Ambassador of Ghana to Switzerland, on behalf of GEO Land Degradation Neutrality (GEO-LDN)
  • Angelica Gutierrez, Programme Director, GEO Global Water Sustainability (GEOGLOWS)
  • Wenjiang Huang, Lead, Global Vegetation Pest and Disease Dynamic Remote Sensing and Monitoring and Forecasting (GEO-PDRS)
  • Michele Melchiorri, Co-Chair, GEO Human Planet Initiative (HPI)
  • Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Managing Director, Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa)

Interventions from the floor

Madeeha Bajwa
Madeeha BajwaModerator,GEO Secretariat
Angelica Gutierrez
Angelica GutierrezSpeaker,GEOGLOWS
Lisa-Maria Rebelo
Lisa-Maria RebeloSpeaker,DE Africa
Wenjiang Huang
Wenjiang HuangSpeaker,GEO-PDRS
12:00-13:15

Lunch

13:15-14:30

GEO-21 Plenary Session 3: From Participation to Partnership: Advancing Member Engagement Across Regions

This session will focus on concrete ways for GEO to shift from broad participation to deeper, action-driven partnerships across regions. Building on Member priorities and Regional GEO leadership, it will present new collaborative models, co-designed initiatives, and resource-mobilisation approaches that strengthen national and regional impact. Participants will explore practical opportunities for joint investments, engagement with the private sector, as well as coordinated global advocacy and regional action to accelerate GEO’s collective delivery.

Panel Session

Moderator: Sara Venturini, Chief of Member Services, GEO Secretariat

Speakers:

  • Matthew Adepoju, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria
  • Xiaohan Liao, Director General, Key Laboratory of Low-Altitude Geographic Information and Air Routes, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), China
  • Melany Ramirez, Director of Geospatial Analysis and Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), Guatemala
  • Dirk Engelbart, Director, Division Meteorology and German Meteorological Service (DWD), Federal Ministry of Transport, Germany
  • Melanie Hutchinson, International Geospatial Lead, Government Digital Service, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), United Kingdom
  • Thibault Valentin, Policy Officer, Space Cooperation, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), European Commission

Interventions from the floor

Sara Venturini
Sara VenturiniModerator,GEO Secretariat
Matthew Adepoju
Matthew AdepojuSpeaker,Nigeria
Dirk Engelbart
Dirk EngelbartSpeaker,Germany
Melany Ramirez
Melany RamirezSpeaker,Guatemala
Thibault Valentin
Thibault ValentinSpeaker,European Union
Melanie Hutchinson
Melanie HutchinsonSpeaker,United Kingdom
Xiaohan Liao
Xiaohan LiaoSpeaker,China
14:30-15:00

Coffee Break

15:00-17:30

GEO-21 Plenary Session 4: GEO Plenary Business (closed session)

Presentation by the GEO Programme Board: update on the GEO Work Programme

  • Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Director of the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens (NOA), Greece
  • Justyna Nicinska, Senior International Relations Specialist, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States
  • Amos Kabo-Bah, Associate Professor and Dean International Relations Office, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana

Interventions from the floor

Presentation by the Data and Knowledge Working Group: approval of the In-situ Data Strategy

  • Helen Glaves

Demonstration by the GEO Infrastructure Development Task Team: approval of the GEO Infrastructure Implementation Plan

  • Bente Lilja Bye
  • Paola de Salvo, GEO Infrastructure Coordinator, GEO Secretariat

Interventions from the floor

Presentation by the Rules of Procedure Task Force: approval of the revised GEO Rules of Procedure.

  • Rules of Procedure Task Force Co-Chairs (TBC)

Interventions from the floor

Presentation by the GEO Budget Working Group: approval of the 2026 Secretariat Budget

  • Jean Dusart, Policy Officer, Environmental Observations Sector, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission

Interventions from the floor

Presentation of Executive Committee Members 2026: approval of new members

Interventions from the floor

Justyna Nicinska
Justyna NicinskaSpeaker,United States
Amos Kabo-Bah
Amos Kabo-BahSpeaker,Ghana
Helen Glaves
Helen GlavesSpeaker,
Bente Lilja Bye
Bente Lilja ByeSpeaker,
Paola De Salvo
Paola De SalvoSpeaker,GEO Secretariat
Jean Dusart
Jean DusartSpeaker,European Union
17:30-18:00

GEO-21 Plenary Session 5: Closing Session

Review of Plenary Decisions

Handover of GEO Lead Co-Chair from the European Union to the United States and brief closing remarks:

  • Franz Immler, Head of the Environmental Observation Sector, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States

Adjourn

Taylor Jordan
Taylor JordanSpeaker,United States
Franz Immler
Franz ImmlerSpeaker,European Union

Open to all registered attendees

Restricted access: on invitation only

Restricted access: only open for Official GEO Delegates