Understanding Extreme Geohazards: The Science of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle European Science Foundation Conference November 28 to December 1, 2011, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain

Welcoming Note, GEO Secretariat by Francesco Gaetani

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat Director Mr. Josè Achache, I would like to welcome you to this important scientific conference on “understanding Extreme Geohazards” organized by the European Science Foundation in partnership with COST European Cooperation in Science and Technology.

In my capacity as GEO Secretariat expert for the Disasters Societal Benefit Area I'm particularly happy to be here and eager to learn from all of you on how to improve the overall effectiveness of disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. As of December 2011, GEO’s Members include 88 Governments and the European Commission. In addition, 61 intergovernmental, international, and regional organizations with a mandate in Earth observation or related issues have been recognized as Participating Organizations.

GEO is coordinating efforts towards the implementation of GEOSS, the Global Earth Observations System of Systems, a global distributed system, including satellite observation systems, Global in situ networks and systems, and local and regional in situ networks. GEOSS will deliver the benefits of Earth Observations to both data & information providers and consumers world wide.

The accomplishment of the GEOSS strategic objectives built on a 10 year implementation plan. A work plan has been adopted by GEOSS as a set of of practical Tasks carried out by GEO Members and Participating Organizations.

Few weeks ago in Istanbul the VIII GEO Plenary approved the new GEO Work Plan for the period 2012-2015. This Work Plan, which represents the last step towards the implementation of GEOSS the Global Earth Observations System of Systems, provides a clear vision for the use of Earth Observations in support of all the four phases of the emergency phases.

The 2012-2015 GEO Work Plan has been designed to meet the objectives described in the GEOSS Strategic Targets document. In the case of disasters these targets are meant to improve the use of observations and related information to inform policies, decisions and actions associated with disaster preparedness and mitigation.

To provide a more effective access to observations and related information to facilitate warning, response and recovery to disasters.

To Increase communication and coordination between national, regional and global communities in support of disaster risk reduction, including clarification of roles and responsibilities and improved resources management and to improve national response to natural and man-made disasters through delivery of space-based data, resulting from strengthened International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.

An important role of the Work Plan is also that of supporting to the successful implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

The Disasters Task of the new GEO Work Plan will improve disaster risk management and reduction by providing timely information relevant to the full cycle of disaster management (mitigation, preparedness, warning, response and recovery). The Disasters Task would adopt a multi-hazard end-to-end approach to ensure that relevant Earth observations and information effectively reach decision-makers and the public. The Task, which is based on five main components focuses on four main areas: (1) Provide support to operational systems; (2) Enable and inform risk and vulnerability analyses; (3) Conduct regional end to-end pilots with a focus on building institutional relationships; and (4) Conduct gap analyses in order to identify missing data, system gaps, and capacity gaps.

I would like to conclude this short welcome by thanking the Conference Organizers for their valuable and continuous work. A special thank to the Geohazards Community of Practice Co-Chairs, Hans Peter Plag and Stuart Marsh, whose hard work during the last six years substantially contributed to the success of GEO and GEOSS.