On behalf of the Australian Earth observation community, it is a pleasure to provide our national statement for the GEO Global Forum 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.   

Australia is an active member of GEO and the international Earth observation community. We align with GEO’s vision of Earth Intelligence for all, applied as an essential, powerful tool in urgently addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. 

Australia recognises the value of international and regional engagement through GEO as a means of sharing expertise and learnings, and to strengthen our use of Earth observation data to inform decision-making and deliver sustainable and impactful outcomes.

This year, Australia has continued participation in several GEO Work Programme activities with a focus on biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, and ecosystems management. These include GEO Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM), GEO Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), and GEO AquaWatch.

We were also pleased to announce the selection of the long-term African owner of Digital Earth Africa: the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology – icipe, an international non-government organisation headquartered in Nairobi. Icipe assumed responsibility for operating Digital Earth Africa from 1 April 2026, with full ownership transfer to be completed by March 2028.  

Beyond the GEO Work Programme, Australia continues to champion open access to comprehensive Earth observation data through Digital Earth Australia. We are actively engaged in numerous technical coordination programs related to Earth observations, including restoration programs for water and biodiversity, and scientific initiatives led by Geoscience Australia and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Australia has also continued to support Earth observation-driven programs in the Oceania region through the contribution of expertise and knowledge sharing to enhance environmental management, resilience, and sustainable development outcomes.

In November 2025 the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Chair transferred from the UK Space Agency to an Australian Chair team of CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia. CEOS is a founding Participating Organisation of GEO, and the Australian CEOS Chair team will seek opportunities to deepen the partnership and ensure satellite Earth observation data – from both government and non-government sources – is used to its fullest potential. 

As GEO marks its 21st year, it is more critical than ever that policy makers, space agencies, data providers, and researchers from across the globe work together in pursuit of Earth Intelligence for All. Australia is pleased to be part of this global effort to harness Earth observations to meet our planet’s urgent challenges. 

Alison Rose 

Principal Representative to the Group on Earth Observations  

Australian Government