The 37th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-37) took place in Tshwane, South Africa 8 to 12 May 2017. The theme was “Earth Observation for Development and Adaptation to a Changing World”.
The 2017 Symposium was the second time in this millennium that the African continent hosted ISRSE. It coincided with the implementation of the recently adopted African Space Policy and Strategy, as well as rapid development in African space science and technology programmes.
Impressions from the Symposium
Altogether 638 abstracts from 53 countries, covering 55 topics were received. The abstracts were reviewed and scored by the Technical Programme Committee which is made up of more than sixty leading research and industry experts.
There were five Plenary sessions 1: Support of Space Agencies to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Plenary 2: Showcasing the Socio-Economic Impact of Earth Observation Plenary 3: Earth Observation for Global Change Science Plenary 4: The African Space Program Plenary 5: Trends in Commercial Earth Observation. Dr Jane Olwoch took part in the Plenary sessions 3 entitled Earth Observation for Global change science and specifically on the session on Implementation of Paris Agreement: This session featured speakers from the EC, CEOS, ESA and South Africa.
ISRSE-37 also featured several technical sessions 1. Biodiversity and Ecosystems 2. Disasters Resilience and Geohazards 3. Energy and Mineral Resources Management 4. Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture 5. Public Health Surveillance 6. Sustainable Urban Development and Infrastructure and Transport Management 7. Water Resources Management 8. Climate, Weather, Atmosphere and Polar and Cold Regions 9. Marine and Coastal Environment, Resources and Dynamics 10. Forests and Carbon Cycle 11. Data and Information Systems and Spatial Data Infrastructure 12. Airborne Platforms, Sensors, In-situ Measurements and Innovative Techniques 13. International Regional and National EO Programmes, Education and Outreach 14. Current and Future EO Missions and Programmes. Dr Jane Olwoch co-chaired with French Space Agency (CNES) the EO and Public health surveillance.
Dr Jane Ollwoch presenting at the Symposium
Dr Olwoch also contributed to other sessions including support of the UN SDGs and the session on how commercial satellite companies can support capacity building in Africa.
