Statement of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE)
Group on Earth Observations – GEO Global Forum 2025 & GEO-20 Plenary
Statement of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE)
It is a privilege for the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE) to strengthen our strong support to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) having now the honor of being appointed to the GEO Programme Board, as well as establishing jointly with GEO, a Digital Earth Conveners initiative.
ISDE shares GEO’s commitment to advancing the open and coordinated use of Earth observation data for the benefit of society, the environment, and sustainable development.
Since its inception, ISDE has worked to promote the vision of "Digital Earth" — a comprehensive virtual representation of our planet that supports decision-making, scientific discovery, and education. Our collaboration with GEO is rooted in our mutual recognition that the challenges facing humanity — from climate change and biodiversity loss to sustainable cities and disaster resilience — require integrated, data-driven, and globally coordinated approaches.
ISDE has been an active contributor to the GEO community by fostering technological innovation, promoting global research networks, and supporting the open sharing of data and best practices. Through flagship initiatives such as the International Journal of Digital Earth, the Digital Earth Summit series, and the Digital Earth Vision to 2030, ISDE has helped cultivate a vibrant, interdisciplinary community dedicated to making Earth observation more accessible, actionable, and inclusive.
Examples of ISDE’s Results, Impact, and Value from Participation in GEO are given below:
- Promotion of Interdisciplinary Science: ISDE's International Journal of Digital Earth has become a critical platform for disseminating research that integrates Earth observation, geospatial information, AI, and environmental sciences, directly supporting GEO’s objectives in open science and innovation.
- Development of Global Frameworks: ISDE has contributed expertise to global frameworks such as GEO’s efforts in the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), particularly in areas related to Digital Earth platforms.
- Support for the SDGs: Through research workshops, summits, and collaborations, ISDE has promoted the use of Digital Earth technologies for monitoring and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with GEO’s focus on policy-relevant data applications.
- Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange: ISDE’s events and publications have fostered international capacity building, especially in developing countries, complementing GEO’s emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility in Earth observation science.
- Advancement of New Technologies: ISDE has played a leading role in advancing discussions on emerging technologies such as Digital Twins of the Earth, AI for Earth observation, and next-generation geospatial infrastructures, informing and enriching GEO’s innovation agenda.
In the coming years, ISDE will continue to align closely with GEO’s Strategic Plan 2023–2025 by enhancing Digital Earth platforms, advancing AI-driven Earth analytics, supporting the development of global geospatial infrastructures, and advocating for Digital Earth tools in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Together, ISDE and GEO are demonstrating the transformative power of Earth observation to drive science, policy, and innovation for a sustainable and equitable future.
We look forward to deepening our collaboration and to supporting the GEO community in building a Digital Earth for all.