AfriGEO Symposium: Opening Session & Session 1: Building Resilient and Sustainable Systems

Opening Session (20 min)

Moderator: Ernest Acheampong, Geo Secretariat Rapporteur: Anastasia Wahome and James Wanjohi

Session 1: Building Resilient and Sustainable Systems

This session shall be looking at sustainable systems related to strengthening regional and national capacities either through programs created to address development challenges or brokering access to requisite regional data and mechanisms that strengthen dialogue and collaboration while looking at systems existing and those in the pipeline to fulfil the Africa space policy and strategy and the agenda 2063.

Moderator: Davis Adieno, GPSDD Rapporteur: Benson Kenduiywo and Calvince Wara

Presentations

1. Digital Earth Africa (D E Africa)-TAG (Thembi Xaba, Lisa Rebelo, Kenneth Mubea and Zviko Mudimu)
2. South Africa Group on Earth Observation (SAGEO), Lulekwa Makapela
3. SERVIR-TAG (Dan Irwin, Robinson Mugo and Bako Mamane)
4. GMES &A and Space Programs, African Union Commission (AUC)- Tidianne Ouattara
5. Africa Diaspora Collaboration, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Henry Bulley

Discussions

Objectives

• Showcase existing regional programs that have created sustainable systems
• Showcase the value of strengthening national GEO’s in contributing to the regional GEO’s and EO agenda
• Articulating the value of diaspora collaboration
• Roadmap of the region in addressing and implementing challenges faced by the space sector in Africa

Outcomes

• Strengthened understanding of what different players are doing
• Synergistic opportunities identified
• Increased avenue of partnership and collaboration
• Increased value of strengthening engagement of GEO at national level