Group on Earth Observations – GEO Global Forum 2025 & GEO-20 Plenary

As one of the GEO Co-chairs, China has promoted and witnessed the glorious 20-year history of GEO. This year, China continued to play an important role in supporting GEO priorities with EO data sharing, technological innovation, and global collaboration.

China is committed to building open EO data sharing platforms, such as ChinaGEOSS Data Sharing Portal (5300 datasets), SatClouds Global Network (35 international nodes), iEarth platform (over 6600 users from 75 countries), and web-based satellite application service platforms (Fengyun Earth and regional versions) to ensure rapid and comprehensive utilization of EO data. China also established the China-Africa and China-ASEAN Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centers to promote regional cooperation, and provided global researchers access to big earth data through the SDGSAT-1 Open Science Program. Moreover, China's Natural Resources Satellite Cloud Service Platform has supported 32 countries with localized applications in agriculture and environmental management. In the past year, China and South Africa have been working closely to realize the direct reception and processing of data from CBERS satellites at Hartbeeshock ground station in South Africa and the distribution in Southern Africa countries, which is one of the most successful practices of GEO to promote global data sharing.

As a driving force in the Asia-Oceania Group on Earth Observations (AOGEO), China hosted the 7th AOGEO Workshop in Kunming in 2025, bringing together 80 experts from 14 countries. Also, AOGEO organized serial Capacity Developing Training Workshop in Bangladesh and supported the 2024 AOGEO Symposium in Tokyo, aligning with the "Earth Intelligence for All" initiative.

China continued to improve the Collaborative Network of Disaster Data Response (CDDR), integrating resources from 34 Chinese satellite agencies and 9 international organizations, deploying 30 high-resolution satellites to monitor 56 major disasters globally. For example, after the 2025 Myanmar 7.9-magnitude earthquake, Chinese satellites provided rapid emergency mapping services. China's Fengyun satellite emergency support mechanism also contributes to disaster risk reduction, with plans to add three geostationary satellites by 2027 to enhance early warning capacity.

China emphasizes data-driven innovation as a key approach to addressing sustainable development challenges. The SDG Big Data Platform, storing 20 petabytes of Earth science data, has served over 100 countries and regions worldwide. In 2024, seven sets of African sustainable development data products were presented to Philemon Yang, president of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, during the event themed ‘Global Development Initiative Supports the Global South - China in Action’ held at the UN headquarters. Also, China conducted an international training program for participants from 15 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), strengthening their capabilities in marine and coastal ecological monitoring and disaster forecast. 

Facing the more ambitious strategy goals of GEO third decade, China is willing to further work with all members to strengthen deep participation of developing countries, bridge digital divide between developed and developing countries, support decision-making with more comprehensive and reliable Earth Intelligence, enable people around the world to better enjoy the benefits of Earth observation, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.