The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is pleased to announce the GMES & Africa Southern Africa Regional Stakeholder Workshop. The event will take place from 17 to 18 June 2025 at the CSIR in Pretoria, South Africa.
Under the theme: “From Data to Impact: Earth Observation and Space Technology Solutions as a Catalyst for Africa’s Policy and Economic Transformation,” the workshop will bring together policymakers, technical experts, researchers, and key stakeholders from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Furthermore, participants will exchange insights, experiences, and innovations on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) technologies for environmental monitoring and sustainable development.
Event Background
The GMES & Africa initiative, a flagship programme under the African Union Commission (AUC) and European Commission (EC), addresses Africa’s pressing environmental and climate challenges through satellite and ground-based EO systems. By providing reliable, actionable data, the initiative supports governments, scientists, the private sector, and civil society in climate resilience, security, and sustainable development decision-making.
Now in its concluding year of Phase II, GMES & Africa has made a significant impact in:
- Strengthening regional EO capacities
- Enhancing institutional frameworks
- Delivering tailored EO services aligned with Africa’s development goals
Workshop Objectives
This two-day high-level forum will serve as a collaborative platform to:
- Showcase key achievements of GMES & Africa Phase II over the past four years.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange on best practices and innovations in EO applications.
- Highlight EO-based tools that have supported regional and national policymaking.
- Demonstrate EO’s role in sustainable development, particularly for coastal zones, river basins, and fragile ecosystems.
The discussions will emphasise how EO data drives:
- Evidence-based policymaking
- Informed economic planning
- Sustainable natural resource management
Participants
The workshop will convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including:
- Representatives from SADC member states
- Basin commissions, public/private sectors, and technical agencies
- Academic and research institutions
- Civil society organisations engaged in environmental protection and climate resilience.
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