Implementing AfriGEOSS in Africa: Enhancing Earth Observation Data

1. AfriGEOSS - An Initiative to Implement GEOSS in AfricaGaniyAgbajeNASRDA, NigeriaAndiswa Mlisa (GEO Sec)Giovanni Rum (GEO Sec) GEO Work Plan Symposium, 28 – 30 April 2014, Geneva, Switzerland

2. AfriGEOSS‘s Mission Statement Enhance Africa’s capacity for producing, managing and using Earth observations data and information, by developing a continental coordination framework involving the national (countries), the sub-regional (Economic Regions + other sub-regional Institutions) and the regional levels. This would greatly improve Africa’s contribution to GEOSS development as well as the actual use of available data and information for decision making.

3. Objectives • Coordinate and bring together relevant stakeholders, institutions and agencies across Africa • Provide a platform for countries to participate in GEO and to contribute to GEOSS; • Assist in knowledge sharing and global collaborations; • Identify challenges, gaps and opportunities for African contributions to GEO and GEOSS;and • Leverage existing capacities and planned assets and resources.

4. GEOSS for AFRICA CBERS Africa, GEONETCast, SERVIR Africa, Sand and Dust Storm Warning System, AEGOS, Wildland Fire Early Warning System, Puma, AMESD, BIOTA, TIGER, SoDa, MERIT, African Protected Areas, ClimDev Africa, ChlorOGIN, FAO-AfriCover, MAFA, ARMC, EAMNET, WATPLAN, AFRIMASON, GARNET-E, EO2Heaven, SAGA-EO, EOPower, GEONETCab, AGRICAB, MESA, GEO Global Land Cover, GMES & Africa, GEO BON, GEO GLAM; GFOI; Africa Water Cycle, Blue Planet; etc.

5. Implementing AfriGEOSS • Strengthen national coordination and capacity • Synergies with existing initiatives & programmes • Provide linkage support for contributors • Contribute to GEOSS and global initiatives • Influence upcoming initiatives • Results will be first reflected in all GEO Tasks and , progressively, in other activities/initiatives that are not part of the GEO Work Plan.

6. On-going Activities & Objectives for 2014 Define, through extensive consultation, the AfriGEOSS Implementation Plan, here included the main features of the coordination framework Start to demonstrate, with few examples, mainly connected to the GEO WP Tasks, how AfriGEOSS might work and what benefits are there for Africa The key objectives for 2014 would be to have in place a GEO-XI Plenary endorsed Implementation Plan and an initial coordination framework.

7. Main events to date • Working Group Workshop, March 2014, Nairobi, Kenya • Sub-regional EO Activities • Implementation Plan development • Side event, exhibition, & showcase, GEO-X Plenary, January 2014 • Stakeholder Workshop on 6th November 2013 • Launched 5th November 2013, joint AfricaGIS2013 & GSDI 2014, Ethiopia 2013 • Engagement with African Union Commission, November 2013 • Letters to GEO Principals asking for information on existing and planned activities related to the enhancement of capacity of African countries, July 2013 • Endorsed by GEO-IX Plenary, Brazil, November 2012

8. Cross-Task Activities & Other Initiatives: Infrastructure • Coordination of satellite observations and products • SANSA (SADC); NASRDA (West Africa); Egypt & Algeria (North Africa); • AGEOS (Central Africa), SEAS Project contributing to IN-01 • Clarify operation plans for Malindi station (East Africa) • Establish contact with Reunion ground station, radar data for East Africa • Build synergies with ARMC • SANSA & NASRDA registered as Service Provider & Project Manager for the Disaster Charter

9. Cross-Task Activities & Other Initiatives: Global Projects e.g. GEOGLAM • EOPOWER-AfriGEOSS SADC Workshop, 8-9 May 2014, South Africa • Common elements of national agriculture systems • Scaling issues up national to sub regional, down national to local (district) unit • Users needs/application priorities • Gaps (Capacity (Institutional, HR), Data (EO), and Infrastructure) • Components of a Sub regional GEOGLAM System

10. Cross-Task Activities & Other Initiatives: Resource Mobilisation • Defining a mechanism for coordination of contributions • Working Group for Land Cover in Africa, Horizon 2020 proposal • Ecosystem, Horizon 2020 proposal • Initial contacts with African Development Bank • Leveraging planned Workshops and Conferences • WGLCA workshop, March 2014, Kenya • EOPOWER SADC Workshop, May 2014, SA • Eumetsat Africa User Forum, September 2014, SA • AARSE conference, October 2014, SA

11. Policy Endorsement • Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership, 4th EU-Africa Summit, Roadmap 2014-2017, April 2014, Brussels. • “…. We will ensure the establishment of a coherent framework for the development of Earth Observation activities in Africa so that space strategically contributes to Africa’s socio-economic development. Our cooperation will be in line with the priorities of the Africa Space Policy and Strategy and AfriGEOSS, the African segment of the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), in order to deliver services in priority domains for Africa …” • Engagement with EC on GMES & Africa

12. Policy Linkages • In progress: Through Member States (Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria & South Africa) • Disasters, Hyogo Framework 2 • Representation and contribution to statements and declaration, 5th Regional Platform for Africa, May 2014 • Climate, UN Climate summit, September 2014 • Contribution to discussions through national statements • Solicit engagement with the special envoy of the Summit

13. GEO Partnership in Africa • Strengthen relationship with GEO Principals • Establish relations with Permanent Missions (presentation to SADC Officials, Permanent Missions to UN in Geneva) • RECTAS application for Participating Organisation (will contribute to Capacity Building)

14. Call for Participation & Contributions • Link your programmes to AfriGEOSS • More programmes linked to AfriGEOSS better chance to reach critical mass, reduce duplication and close gaps • Assist in the engagement with GEO Principals and establishing national coordination mechanisms

15. THANK YOU