International Symposium Inauguration

The International Symposium on Earth Observation to benefit mountain communities is kicking off today.

The event will be inaugurated by Rt. Honourable Subash Chandra Nembang, The Constituent Assembly Chairman, the Minister of Environment, and Shri Jairam Ramesh, Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests. Welcome addreses will be spoken by Dr. Andreas Schild, Director General of ICIMOD, Kevin Rushing, USAID Mission Director, and Michel Jarraud, Secretary General, World Metereological Organization (via video). The keynote address will be delivered by Professor José Achache, Director of the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), one of the organizing partners. After a vote of thanks by Basanta Shrestha, Division Head MENRIS, ICIMOD, a special exhibition and poster pavilion will also be inaugurated. Guest addresses are made Carrie Stokes, USAID, Dan Irwin, NASA, and Climate Ambassador, Dawa Steven Sherpa.

Waiting for the Inauguration to start some of the participants voiced their anticipation. Two Nepali participants from DFID’s Land Forestry Programme said: “We are presenting two posters in the exhibition during the Symposium. While we come to present, we see this symposium as a splendid opportunity to learn. In particular since the topics of Climate Change and the use of Earth Observation is very new to Nepal.” Two British participants working with GIS and RS for their own research were looking forward to the event. “The Symposium is bringing together an exquisite group of people working on common topics. We will definitely benefit from the exchange and networking opportunities.” Finally, a student from the Australian University of Queensland working on Forest mapping in Nepal stated: “I am currently trying to supplement my in-situ data on Nepal with maps using GIS. This Symposium is ideal for sharing my ideas with other participants and scientists in the field.”