GEO-XIV Plenary Side Event: Earth Observations in Support of SDG Implementation and Monitoring in Small Island States and Developing Countries


Workshop Information
SVG Workshop Flyer

Related Events
Workshop on SDGs in Caribbean Small Island States, January 17-19, 2017, Saint Vincent, see web announcement
Oceans of Knowledge Workshop, 7 Nov. 2017, London, see web announcement


Date and Location

October 24, 2017, 08:00 – 11:00
Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.

Event Description

This event served as forum for a discussion between representatives of various Small Island States and developing countries (SIS+DC), Participating Organizations (POs) and GEO activities that have an interest in supporting Earth Observation (EO)-related information needs in SIS+DC that are associated with the 2030 Agenda. The event provided an opportunity to pinpoint challenges for EO in these regions and to identify and form partnerships to address these challenges. A particular focus was on the role of the ocean for the SDGs and the information needs related to the ocean.

During the event, GEO Blue Planet and other relevant GEO groups and POs presented ongoing and proposed projects related to monitoring in SIS+DC to facilitate information sharing between the representatives of the SIS+DC and the global community. Following the presentations, a panel with SIS+DC representatives discussed the presentations and provide feedback on how these projects could support the efforts to implement and monitor SDGs in the SIS+DC.

Agenda

Welcome
0800 - 0815:Welcome and Overview of Side Meeting — Paul DiGiacomo, Sophie Seeyave, Hans-Peter Plag (GEO Blue Planet Initiative)
SDGs in Small Island States and Developing Countries
08:15 – 08:35:Data for implementation of the SDGs in Small Island States and Developing Countries — Aditya Agrawal (Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data) (pptx)
08:35 – 09:00:Bringing SDGs to the people and creating ownership in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — Jai Rampersad (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, St. Vincent & the Grenadines) (pptx)
The Role of the Ocean in the SDGS
0900 – 09:30:SDG Interactions and Interdependencies: The Role of the Ocean — Hans-Peter Plag (GEO Blue Planet Initiative)  (pdf)
09:30 – 09:50Coffee Break
GEO Initiatives and Participating Organizations
09:50 – 10:05:GEO Blue Planet efforts to support the SDGs — Sophie Seeyave (GEO Blue Planet Initiative) (pptx)
10:05 – 10:20:MBON efforts to support the SDGs — Enrique Montes Herrera (MBON) (pptx)
10:20 – 10:35:Space for the Blue Economy — Christoph Aubrecht (ESA/World Bank) (pdf)
Discussion
10:35 – 11:00:Panel discussion — Panelists: Jai Rampersad (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, St. Vincent & the Grenadines), Christoph Aubrecht (ESA/World Bank), Sophie Seeyave (GEO Blue Planet Initiative); Moderator: Hans-Peter Plag (GEO Blue Planet Initiative)

Impressions

Aditya Agrawal informed about the efforts of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and mentioned the highway for APIs.

Aditya Agrawal discusses a toolbox developed by GPSDD.

Jai Rampersad gave an overview of the efforts in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on SDG implementation.

Jai Rampersad explained the concept of a geospace for SDG implementation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Sophie Seeyave and Jai Rampersad discuss the collaborations in the Caribbean aiming at SDG implementation.

Hans-Peter Plag discussed the interference of different SDGs.

Hans-Peter Plag pointed out that "Responsible Procreation" should have been included as a separate goal in the list of the SDGs.

Sophie Seeyave informed about the GEO Blue Planet Initiative and introduced the Saint Vincent Workshop as a template for future Blue Planet workshops linking to users and societal stakeholders.

Enrique Montes Herrera reported on efforts of MBON in the Caribbean.

Christoph Aubrecht started his presentation on the Blue economy with a joke.

Christoph Aubrecht also emphasized the importance of the ocean in the development context.