Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Sustainability thought leaders, members of the United Nations and global experts in environmental and information networking will convene in Abu Dhabi tomorrow for Eye on Earth Summit 2015. Held under the patronage of United Arab Emirates President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the three-day Summit aims to promote dialogue and drive international action that revolutionises the way we collect, access, share and use data and information for sustainable development.
Eye on Earth Summit 2015, taking place from 6-8 October in Abu Dhabi, is the first international gathering of sustainability stakeholders to follow the adoption of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development by the UN Heads of State. With the theme of "Informed Decision-Making for Sustainable Development", the Summit will highlight the role that governments, technology, the scientific community and citizen participation play in enhancing access to quality data about the state of the world's resources.
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the environmental regulator for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is a founding Eye on Earth Alliance Partner. HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General at EAD said: "As the first international summit following the release of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Eye on Earth Summit 2015 will be the world's foremost event dedicated to identifying solutions for greater access to and sharing of environmental, social and economic data. Equipping decision makers with the necessary data and information to make informed decisions is crucial as we all work towards delivering on the post-2015 development agenda to safeguard the future of the planet and humanity, and we hope that the Summit will allow us to agree on the right roadmap to achieve goals outlined in the agenda."
More than 150 prominent international speakers will explore the supply, demand and enabling conditions of environmental-related data and information, and the crucial role this plays in creating a healthier planet. The launch of several major Eye on Earth projects also form part of the Summit programme. These cover the Special Initiatives focus areas of equal access, linked networks, education, biodiversity, community sustainability and resiliency, disaster management, water security, oceans and blue carbon.
The Summit will open with a focus on policy maker demand for environmental-related data, taking a look at the challenges faced in finding data and information required to make evidence-based decisions. Topics include: difficulties in sharing data and information across countries and regions; resistance from governments and other institutions to making data freely open and accessible; responding to commercial imperatives from the private sector; and the need for data to sustain communities in upheaval. Featured speakers include:
- Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for State for Federal National Council Affairs
- Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water
- Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Undersecretary General of the UN as keynote
- Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Director of Energy & Climate Change at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Robbie Schingler, Co-Founder and President of Planet Labs
- Felix Dodds, Senior Fellow at the Global Research Institute of the University of North Carolina and an Associate Fellow at the Tellus Institute
- Dr. Fernando R. Echavarria, Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science (OES)
Day two of the Summit will address the problems impeding the availability of and access to environmental-related data, including the logarithmic data explosion, both in terms of volume and sources. It will also explore the undiscovered potential of new resources and technologies to support the world's transition to a sustainable future. Speakers include:
- Barbara Ryan, Secretariat Director of the Group on Earth Observations as keynote
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency
- Philemon Mjwara, Director General of the South African Ministry of Science and Technology
- Muki Haklay, Professor of Geographic Information Science at University College London (UCL) and director of its Extreme Citizen Science group
- Louis Liebenberg, Executive Director of CyberTracker Conservation NPC and an Associate of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University
- Ed Parsons, the Geospatial Technologist at Google
The Summit will conclude with a focus on the necessary conditions to support effective synergies between data users and data providers. Policy arenas, funding commitments and capacity building are some of the topics to be covered by speakers such as:
- Inger Anderson, Director General of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as keynote
- Professor Enrico Giovannini, Italian economist and statistician who was also the co-chair of the "Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development", established by the Secretary General of the United Nations
- Hon. Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo, Member of Parliament of Emuhaya Constituency in Kenya
By the end of the three-day Summit, experts aim to reach consensus on several outcomes, including the launch of new Special Initiatives, the formation of new partnerships, the implementation of data governance frameworks and the promotion of new environmental data policies in countries where this is most needed.
Live social media feeds will allow the wider global community to tune in to the Summit and initiate dialogue with attendees. The full Summit agenda and list of speakers can be found at www.eoesummit.org.
About Eye on Earth
Despite technological and scientific advancements, decision makers often lack vital data on the state of the world's resources. Eye on Earth is a global movement that aims to improve access to and sharing of environmental, social and economic data, to better inform decision-making for sustainable development. Its primary goal is to convene thought and action leaders, converge on key areas of mutual importance, and collaborate on initiatives to close the data gap.
The mission of Eye on Earth is achieved through the work of the five governing Alliance Partners, eight targeted Special Initiatives, and the Eye on Earth Summit.
For more information, please visit www.eoesummit.org.
About the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Established in 1996, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda. For more information, visit www.ead.ae
For media enquiries, please contact:
EAD Press Office:
Sobhia Akram El Masri
Tel: +9712 693-4637
Mobile: +97150 442-5096
Email: pressoffice@ead.ae
About the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, AGEDI was formed in 2002 to address responses to the critical need for readily accessible, accurate environmental data and information for all those who need it. With the Arab region as a priority area of focus, AGEDI facilitates access to quality environmental data that equips policy makers with actionable, timely information to inform and guide critical decisions. AGEDI is supported by Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) on a local level, and championed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regionally and internationally. For more information, visit www.AGEDI.ae
For media enquiries, please contact:
AGEDI Press Office:
Larissa Owen - PR & Outreach Manager, Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Tel: +9712-693 4436
Email: larissa.owen@ead.ae
About the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
Established in 2005, GEO strives to improve the world's observation systems and provide policy makers and scientists with accurate and useful data that can be used to make informed decisions on issues affecting the planet. GEO's primary focus is to develop a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to enhance the ability of end-users to discover and access Earth observation data and convert it to useable and useful information. GEO is headquartered in Switzerland. For more information, visit www.earthobservations.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
GEO Press Office:
Robert J. Samors - Senior External Relations Manager, Group on Earth Observations
Tel: +41 (0)22 730 8317
Email: rsamors@geosec.org
About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN's work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. For more information, please visit www.iucn.org.
For media enquiries, please contact:
IUCN Press Office:
Lynne Labanne, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, IUCN
Tel: +41 79 527 7221
Email: lynne.labanne@iucn.org
About UNEP
UNEP is the voice for the environment in the UN system. Established in 1972, UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development. It works with many partners, UN entities, international organisations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, business, industry, the media and civil society. UNEP's work involves providing support for: environmental assessment and reporting; legal and institutional strengthening and environmental policy development; sustainable use and management of natural resources; integration of economic development and environmental protection; and promoting public participation in environmental management. For more information, visit www.unep.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
UNEP Press Office:
Shereen Zorba, UNEP, Head of News and Media
Tel: +254 788 526000
Email: shereen.zorba@unep.org
About the World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our 450 experts and staff work with partners in more than 50 countries; we have offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia and the United States. For more information, visit www.wri.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
WRI Press Office:
Michael Oko, Director of Strategic Communications and Media
Tel: 202-729-7684
Email: moko@wri.org
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© Press Release 2015
