SPIDER Global Thematic Partnership

In recent years the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) of the United Nations and other organizations have reiterated the fact that the number of disasters and corresponding economic losses have been increasing steadily. As stressed by ISDR, hard-won gains related to development are being wiped out by these disasters in many developing countries. Taking into consideration this fact, the General Assembly of the United Nations established the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) programme through its resolution 61/110 of 14 December 2006 to provide universal access to all countries and all relevant international and regional organizations to all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle. 

The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA), endorsed by 168 member states of the United Nations, commits national, regional, and international agencies to tackle disaster-risk reduction efforts to build the resiliency of nations and communities to disasters.   To facilitate the achievement of the proposed goals identified in the HFA, ISDR is promoting the establishment of thematic platforms or partnerships to support National Platforms for Disaster Reduction.   In this context, UN-SPIDER launched the UN-SPIDER Global Thematic Partnership on the Use of Space-Based Information to Support the Full Disaster Management Cycle during the Second Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Reduction, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 16-19 June, 2009. The SPIDER Global Thematic Partnership will be a vehicle to conduct tasks such as:

• Increasing awareness on applications of space-based information for disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
• Facilitating the exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and best practices concerning access to and use of space-based information for disaster risk reduction and emergency response across continents.
• Promoting horizontal cooperation in the conduction of activities targeting access to and use of space-based information for disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
• Providing a forum for members to reach consensus regarding how to approach certain issues, to harmonize efforts, and to standardize procedures globally. 

On 12 May 2011, the SPIDER Global Thematic Partnership will host a side event during the 3rd Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Reduction.   The side event will showcase examples of applications and resources made available by DLR, ADRC, ISPRS, and Esri.