The Global Partnership on Space Technology Applications for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP-STAR) will be conducting a side event on 26 May 2017 at 4pm at Expo 2, as an extension to the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction conference in Cancun, Mexico. The Mexican Space Agency, in conjunction with the Disaster Management Center of the Government Sri Lanka, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and UN-SPIDER, will collectively be spearheading the event on behalf of GP-STAR partners.
Since its conception in June 2014, the voluntary multi-stakeholder partnership has been actively leading efforts in incorporating the use of Space-based Technologies and Applications and Earth Observation in the context of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030. The primary purpose of GP-STAR is to facilitate this undertaking through a variety of endeavors, including the provision of technical advisory support for application in relation to the Sendai Framework. These efforts are geared to make the disaster risk reduction community aware that the quality of satellite sensors and access to and use of satellite imagery and services has greatly improved in recent years, and that tremendous progress has been achieved through the continuous development of powerful algorithms and software packages to manage and process geospatial data. The distribution of imagery and geospatial datasets in near-real time via geo-web-services can now greatly assist in disaster-risk management and emergency response efforts. GP-STAR aims to foster the use of such information at all levels by strengthening existing mechanisms and contributing to a better integrated and wider use of such technologies in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) worldwide.
In further aiding the implementation of the Sendai Framework, GP-STAR will continue to provide expert consultation and guidance to governments, organizations, and projects alike, in addition to access to all relevant publications and discussion fora. This event will seek to disseminate information on the key themes and aims of the platform, as well as providing practical examples of function and a discussion of the proposed vision for enhancing the use of DRR at a national level.
For further information regarding this event and to see a map of the location, please visit http://www.unisdr.org/conferences/2017/globalplatform/en/programme/side-events/view/672.
Contact:
Mr. Julio Cesar Castillo Urdapilleta (castillo.julio [at] aem.gob.mx)
Mr. Srimal Samansiri (srimal [at] dmc.gov.lk)
Mr. Joachim Post (joachim.post [at] unoosa.org)
