UN-SPIDER Updates September 2019

Dear readers,

We're glad to share with you the September 2019 UN-SPIDER Monthly Updates.

In September, our UN-SPIDER Beijing office conducted its annual United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction and marked the office's tenth anniversary. For the occasion, we released an anniversary publication that highlights the work of the office over the past ten years. The publication is available online.

Last month, we also published two new step-by-step procedures for downloading, processing and mapping space-based information. These Recommended Practices explain how to use digital elevation data for storm surge coastal flood monitoring, and how to detect mudslides and associated floods using Sentinel-1 data.

A list of all our Recommended Practices is available here.

We would like to make use of this occasion to remind you that self-funded applicants can apply until 18 October to participate in our UN-SPIDER Bonn International Conference “Space-based Solutions for Disaster Management in Africa: Challenges, Applications, Partnerships”. The event will take place 6-8 November 2019. The deadline to apply for those seeking funding has elapsed on 30 August.

Below the updates, you'll also find an events calendar with upcoming conferences, workshops and seminars organized by the community.

Enjoy the read!

UN-SPIDER at a glance

News from our Regional Support Offices

News from the community

  • 24/09/2019

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - the world's largest humanitarian organization - released a report estimating the growth of humanitarian need if current human activities continue. Published this month, "The Cost of Doing Nothing" paints a bleak picture of global need for humanitarian assistance doubling to 200 million. The… Read more

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  • 23/09/2019

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the launch of a new satellite that will use artificial intelligence to filter images unsuitable for future use. The Phi Satellite (ɸ-Sat-1), presented at the ESA Phi-week from 9 to 12 September, will make data delivery more efficient by not sending back to Earth… Read more

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Title Organized by City Country Date
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025)

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Government of Switzerland

Geneva Switzerland 06/02/2025 to 06/06/2025