2026 GEO Symposium / GEO-21 Plenary

26-28 May 26
WMO,
Geneva, Switzerland

Full Schedule

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26 May

Tuesday,09:00 - 17:45
09:00-09:45

Opening Ceremony

09:45-10:45

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.

10:45-11:15

Group Photo + Coffee Break

11:15-12:30

Community Event (4 tracks)

12:30-13:30

Lunch

13:30-14:45

Community Event (4 tracks)

14:45-15:00

Coffee Break

15:00-16:15

Community Event (3 tracks)

15:00-16:15

Showcase Station (1 track)

16:15-16:30

Coffee Break

16:30-17:45

Community Event (4 tracks)

27 May

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

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.

10:00-10:15

Coffee Break

10:15-11:30

Community Event (3 tracks)

10:15-11:30

Showcase Station (1 track)

11:30-11:45

Coffee Break

11:45-13:00

Community Event (4 tracks)

13:00-14:00

Lunch

14:00-15:15

Community Event (3 tracks)

14:00-15:15

Showcase Station (1 track)

15:15-15:30

Coffee Break

15:30-16:45

Community Event (4 tracks)

16:45-17:00

Coffee Break

17:00-18:00

Closing ceremony

28 May

Thursday,09:00 - 17:30
09:00-10:00

Session 1: Opening Ceremony

10:00-10:15

Session 2: Approval of Plenary Agenda

10:15-10:45

Group Photo + Coffee Break

10:45-12:00

Session 3: 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.

12:00-13:15

Lunch

13:15-14:30

Session 4: 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.

14:30-15:00

Coffee Break

15:00-16:45

Session 5: GEO Plenary Business

16:45-17:30

Session 6: Closing Ceremony

Open to all registered attendees

Restricted access: on invitation only

Restricted access: only open for Official GEO Delegates