12 October 2011, Geneva, Switzerland. UNOSAT work in support to the international humanitarian and human rights communities was at the centre of discussions at the UNITAR-WMO Symposium on “leveraging satellite solutions for global challenges” that concluded successfully in Geneva on 12 October 2011. In closing the proceedings, Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, praised UNOSAT. “UNOSAT provides exceptional support to the humanitarian and human security communities” he said to an audience of 160 participants from Geneva based UN agencies and permanent missions.
The Symposium lined up an impressive agenda of speakers from the United Nations System, NGOs, Member States and the commercial sector gathered in Geneva to discuss the latest advancements of satellite technology and the practical innovative solutions being used today to support relief coordination in the field, human rights advocacy and more.
In opening the event, Francesco Pisano, Manager of UNOSAT, underlined the importance of deriving concrete and usable solutions using the rapidly evolving technologies offered by the satellite industry and space agencies. Barbara Ryan, Head of the Space Programme at WMO, underlined the importance of maintaining the dialogue between users and providers so that gaps can be bridged and practical solutions can be devised.
The Symposium hosted the first briefing in Geneva by the Board of the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, an international covenant established by a number of national space agencies and the European Space Agency to provide free satellite data in case of major natural disasters. Alice Bunn of the UK Space Agency, who represented the Board of the Space Charter, addressed a keynote speech to the audience in which she explained how the Charter provides data to UNOSAT and other entities in charge of analysing satellite imagery to support immediate disaster response. 'It is clear that there is tremendous value in space agencies working collaboratively to deliver space data to help disaster response efforts worldwide. It is important that we work together with all the actors along the chain of emergency response so the right information gets to the right people, as quickly as possible' she said. In commenting the initiative of UNOSAT and WMO’s Space Programme to convene a Symposium in Geneva, she added: 'this symposium generated some very interesting debate and was an excellent forum to build bridges between the providers and users of disaster response information'.
Some of the most renowned satellite companies in the world took part in the Symposium to present their current and future technology offer. Among them were DigitalGlobe, European Space Imaging, Astrium, e-Geos, and Germany’s Aerospace Agency DLR. In welcoming them to Geneva UNOSAT underlined how their technical and commercial efforts are at the forefront in deploying satellites whose performance is shaping information management in UN humanitarian and human rights agencies that rely increasingly on satellite derived analysis and mapping to take informed decisions and implement efficient coordination in the field. The presence of Google, with whom UNOSAT has a robust cooperation, brought into light the growing role of crowd sourcing: dozens of UNOSAT maps during emergencies have counted on baseline information provided by volunteer citizens via the MapMaker platform of Google.
Among the eminent guest speakers were the US Geographer, Lee Schwartz and the Director of the GEO Secretariat, Jose Achache. It was also the first time that an international gathering in Geneva discussed the use of satellite analysis for human security and human rights. Peter Bouckaert, Director of Emergency Operations for Human Rights Watch, delivered an energising keynote address underling the added value of modern satellite imagery analysis in documenting and disclosing violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Bouckaert, who travels to conflict areas and other crisis spots to investigate on behalf of his Organization, showed compelling examples of the power of satellite imagery in highlighting and sometimes even discovering human rights law abuses”. On the same subject, professor Michel Veuthey of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law said “with its work UNOSAT contributes to enhancing the security of civilians and human rights organizations in conflict areas”.
Similarly to the 2005 UNITAR/OCHA Symposium, which had been more focused on satellite applications in emergency response, this event was designed as a unique chance for both the industry and the user community to exchange views and understand each other better in a venue focusing on substance and open dialogue and accessible to any participant, from experts to practitioners, to officials from diplomatic missions in Geneva. The concluding session applauded the frankness of this dialogue, which touched upon several delicate aspects including the ethical question posed to both the UN and member states by the rapid development of a technology that allows virtually anyone to become an eye witness of global issues through satellite imagery.
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Photos: (1) Michel Jarraud, WMO Secretary-General (far right in the photo) speaks at the Symposium closing session. (2) the Panel of experts and representatives discussing the benefits of the Space Charter for the UN system. (courtesy of UNOSAT and WMO).