Eye on Earth Symposium Addresses Critical Environmental Data Challenges to Achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals

• The outcome-orientated event is concurrent with the independently-organised United Nations World Data Forum taking place in Dubai
• The Symposium will convene session on data challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the SDGs in the Arab region
• Live webinars to allow remote and global audiences to participate in every discussion

Dubai – The Eye on Earth Symposium, supported by the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) and the Eye on Earth Alliance, is hosting leading data experts, innovators and decision-makers to convene, converge and collaborate around solving information-related obstacles to sustainable development. The Symposium aims to catalyse and strengthen bilateral and multi-lateral partnerships to bring those facing systemic environment-related data challenges into contact with those with impactful, transformative solutions.

The three-day event, which runs from 22-24 October 2018, was inaugurated in Dubai this morning by H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), sponsor of the Eye on Earth Symposium and co-founder of Eye on Earth, in the presence of: HE Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Chairwoman of the FCSA and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals; HE Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Director-General of the FCSA; and HE Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency. The Secretary General’s opening address was followed by remarks from senior representatives of the Eye on Earth Alliance: United Nations Environment (UN Environment), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Resources Institute (WRI), Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

Stressing the importance of international collaboration across all levels and sectors of society to address the core issues facing data in sustainable development, HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, sponsor of the Eye on Earth Symposium and co-founder of Eye on Earth, commented: “Ultimately, the decisions made to achieve sustainable development will affect every one of us, as well as future generations. By sharing insights into the information challenges we face, and the enabling solutions we are working on, we can play our part in ensuring that decisions that shape our future are made with the best and most complete information possible.”
Established in 2011 by EAD through the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) in partnership with UN Environment, the Eye on Earth movement has more than 5,000 members that contribute from across academia, NGOs, the private sector and government organisations. Eye on Earth is a collaborative effort between a global network of individual experts with the support of an Alliance of leading global institutions involved in environmental and natural resource information.

The Eye on Earth Symposium is co-themed, co-located and concurrent with the 2nd United Nations World Data Forum organised independently in Dubai this year. The Symposium programme features 35 interactive sessions and 86 speakers that will explore various data topics that tackle information-related issues surrounding the world’s most critical environmental and development challenges. Steered by this unique environmental focus, the Symposium will facilitate knowledge exchange, synergy?based collaboration and project delivery partnerships.

“Getting data right is one of the ways to solve the most pressing environmental challenges of our time,” said Alexandre Caldas, Chief of Country Outreach, Technology and Innovation Branch in the Science Division at UN Environment. “True to the theme of convening, converging and collaborating, UN Environment continues to be a proud founding partner of the Eye on Earth Alliance as this is a sure way of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We are for sure committed with the initiatives on Big Data on the Environment for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action.” 

The Eye on Earth Symposium will also convene a session focused on data challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the SDGs in the Arab world. Priority issues and impediments at both country and regional levels will be identified in collaboration, so that actionable plans can be developed to help overcome issues such as data availability and accessibility that directly inform decision-making. Other geographies, sectors and disciplines will be similarly addressed across each outcome orientated discussion.
 
Steven Ramage, Head of External Relations of the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat, noted that readily-accessible satellite data and technology are necessary to address our most compelling challenges, from climate change, food security, disaster risk reduction and many other areas. Timely, actionable information is also fundamental to addressing these challenges, explained Francis Gassert, Data for Impact Lead at the WRI, according to whom Eye on Earth provides an essential venue for leaders and practitioners around the world to share knowledge and drive action. 

“A major advance in the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals was the incorporation of environmental sustainability at the same level as social and economic issues. However, many National Statistical Offices do not yet have the capacity to measure progress in conserving nature. In this light, IUCN is delighted to serve as an Eye on Earth Alliance member, supporting governments and society in mobilising environmental data to track progress towards sustainability,” said Thomas Brooks, IUCN’s Chief Scientist.
 
All sessions from the 2018 Eye on Earth Symposium will be streamed live online, which will allow remote audiences to see, hear and speak at the event by entering a nine digit webcast number available on the Eye on Earth website. The Symposium is taking place at the Mina A’Salam Hotel in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai and will feature a mixture of presentations, panel discussions, and in-depth, interactive, multi-hour workshops over the next three days.
 
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About Eye on Earth - CONVENE | CONVERGE | COLLABORATE

Eye on Earth (EoE) is a global community of individuals and organisations that collaborate across disciplines and geographies to strengthen the environmental component of Sustainable Development.  Eye on Earth focuses on enabling the demand, creation, availability, discover-ability, usability and use of environmental (and related social and economic) data, information and knowledge – for all stakeholders in society.  Its primary goal is to convene thought and action leaders, converge on key areas of mutual importance, and collaborate on initiatives.  Since 2011, the EoE Network is continually growing with currently over 5,000 experts from across the globe representing the full range of government, private sector, environmental, social and economic perspectives.

For more information, please visit https://eye-on-earth.net

For media enquiries, please contact:
Derek Gliddon, Acting Director, Environmental Research & Innovation, Environmental Research & Innovation Division
Tel: +971 2 693 4751
Email:  derek.gliddon@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 a Type II Partnership Initiative between the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the United Nations Environment (UN Environment) working at the local, national and regional levels primarily.

For more information, visit www.agedi.org

For media enquiries, please contact:
Jane Glavan, Partnerships Manager, Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Tel:        +971 2 693 4559
Email:    jglavan@ead.ae  

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 further information, visit www.ead.ae

For media enquiries, please contact:
EAD Press Office:
Sobhia Akram El Masri, Senior Specialist - Media, PR & Communications
Tel:        +971 2 693 4637
Email:    selmasri@ead.ae  

About the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is an intergovernmental partnership that improves the availability, access and use of Earth observations for a sustainable planet. GEO promotes open, coordinated and sustained data sharing and infrastructure for better research, policymaking, decisions and action across many disciplines. Three global priority engagement areas provide focus for the community around the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

For more information, visit www.earthobservations.org  

For media enquiries, please contact:
GEO Press Office:
Madeline West, Communications Manager, Group on Earth Observations
Tel:  +41 22 730 8405
Email:  mwest@geosec.org

About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organisations and the input of more than 13,000 experts. This year, IUCN celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1948 in the French town of Fontainebleau, IUCN has become the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

For more information, visit www.iucn.org  

For media enquiries, please contact:
IUCN Press Office:
Goska Bonnaveira, Media and Communications Manager a.i.
Tel:  +41 (22) 999 0245
Mob:  +41 79 276 0185
Email  goska.bonnaveira@iucn.org

About UN Environment
UN Environment is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages 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. UN Environment works with governments, the private sector, civil society and with other UN entities and international organisations across the world.

For more information, please visit www.unenvironment.org  

For media enquiries, please contact:
UN Environment Press Office:
Keith Weller, Head of News & Media
Tel: +254 (0) 742 98 38 82
Email: keith.weller@un.org     

About World Resources Institute (WRI)

WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States. Our more than 700 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.

More information at www.wri.org  

For media enquiries, please contact:
WRI Press Office:
Lauren Zelin, Media Relations Manager
Tel:                +1 202-729-7736
Email:           lzelin@wri.org  

© Press Release 2018