Over 650 delegates from government, UN bodies, the non-governmental sector, private sector, academia and civil society will gather in Abu Dhabi between 6 and 8 October for the Eye on Earth Summit 2015, to bridge the information gap policy makers face in designing plans for sustainable development.
The experts gathered will explore solutions and actions necessary for greater access to, and sharing of, environmental, social and economic data to support sustainable development. The Summit will address the profound impact that rapid economic and industrial development is having on natural resources, biodiversity and consumption patterns around the world.
These global challenges require international collaborative action to find transformative solutions that span political boundaries and help secure a sustainable future for all. One of the critical first steps – and the focus of Eye on Earth Summit 2015 - is to address the need for evidence-based decision-making that can benefit from the available wealth of scientific data, information and knowledge, if they are made more accessible to all.
“Sustainable development across the globe is being hindered because policy makers lack access to data that would improve decision-making,” stated HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. “This Summit will develop ways of closing the data gap between what citizens and decision makers need to know, and what is available and accessible. It will look at solutions for greater access to, sharing and application of environmental, social and economic data through science, technology and citizen participation.”
Eye on Earth is a collaborative effort between the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi through the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), and the Eye on Earth Alliance, a partnership of organisations that aim to build and mobilise global support for access to environmental data. As part of its ongoing expansion, the Alliance has recently grown to include, in addition to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).
“This year world leaders will convene for a number of major sustainable development events, among them the Summit for the Adoption of the post-2015 development agenda and the climate change conference in Paris,” said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. “The decisions made at these meetings will shape the way forward on sustainable development and climate action for years to come.”
“For leaders to make the right decisions in such global processes, reliable, ample and timely data is absolutely essential. One of UNEP’s key roles has long been to work with partners to provide the data that informs this science-policy interface,” he added. “Partnerships such as Eye on Earth are living proof of the new frontiers in knowledge and data, as well as the leadership role that Abu Dhabi has shown in this endeavour.”
The announcement of the Summit dates follows a meeting of representatives from the Eye on Earth community in Bonn, Germany to provide input into the development of indicators to track some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to discuss how to support the data and information needed to implement them. A set of 17 goals with 169 targets, the SDGs cover a broad range of sustainable development issues, including ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting oceans and forests. The work of Eye on Earth is expected to be pivotal in providing the necessary data required to measure the progress and impact of the SDGs, with current and future Special Initiative (SI) projects aligning closely with them to ensure the provision of relevant, timely and accessible information.
A global audience will participate in the Summit and contribute to the dialogue via online and social media tools. Information on how to take part in the event will be shared via the Eye on Earth website.
About Eye on Earth
Despite technological and scientific advancements, decision makers often lack vital data on the state of the world’s resources. Eye on Earth is a global movement that aims to improve access to and sharing of environmental, social and economic data, to better inform decision-making for sustainable development. Its primary goal is to convene thought and action leaders, converge on key areas of mutual importance, and collaborate on initiatives to close the data gap.
The mission of Eye on Earth is achieved through the work of the five governing Alliance Partners, eight targeted Special Initiatives, and the Eye on Earth Summit.
For more information, please visit www.eoesummit.org.
About the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
EAD was established in 1996 to preserve Abu Dhabi‘s natural heritage, protect its future, and raise awareness about environmental issues. EAD is Abu Dhabi‘s environmental regulator and advises the government on environmental policy. It works to create sustainable communities, and protect and conserve wildlife and natural resources. EAD also works to ensure integrated and sustainable water resources management, clean air and minimise climate change and its impacts. For more information, visit www.ead.ae
For media enquiries, please contact:
EAD Press Office:
Sobhia Akram El Masri
Tel: +9712 693-4637
Mobile: +97150 442-5096
Email: pressoffice@ead.ae
About the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, AGEDI was formed in 2002 to address responses to the critical need for readily accessible, accurate environmental data and information for all those who need it. With the Arab region as a priority area of focus, AGEDI facilitates access to quality environmental data that equips policy makers with actionable, timely information to inform and guide critical decisions. AGEDI is supported by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) on a local level, and championed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regionally and internationally. For more information, visit www.AGEDI.ae
For media enquiries, please contact:
AGEDI Press Office:
Larissa Owen – PR & Outreach Manager, Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Tel: +9712-693 4436
Email: larissa.owen@ead.ae
About the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
Established in 2005, GEO strives to improve the world’s observation systems and provide policy makers and scientists with accurate and useful data that can be used to make informed decisions on issues affecting the planet. GEO’s primary focus is to develop a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to enhance the ability of end-users to discover and access Earth observation data and convert it to useable and useful information. GEO is headquartered in Switzerland. For more information, visit www.earthobservations.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
GEO Press Office:
Robert J. Samors – Senior External Relations Manager, Group on Earth Observations
Tel: +41 (0)22 730 8317
Email: rsamors@geosec.org
About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. For more information, please visit www.iucn.org.
For media enquiries, please contact:
IUCN Press Office:
Lynne Labanne, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, IUCN
Tel: +41 79 527 7221
Email: lynne.labanne@iucn.org
About UNEP
UNEP is the voice for the environment in the UN system. Established in 1972, UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator promoting the wise use of the planet’s natural assets for sustainable development. It works with many partners, UN entities, international organisations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, business, industry, the media and civil society. UNEP’s work involves providing support for: environmental assessment and reporting; legal and institutional strengthening and environmental policy development; sustainable use and management of natural resources; integration of economic development and environmental protection; and promoting public participation in environmental management. For more information, visit www.unep.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
UNEP Press Office:
Shereen Zorba, UNEP, Head of News and Media
Tel: +254 788 526000
Email: shereen.zorba@unep.org
About the World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our 450 experts and staff work with partners in more than 50 countries; we have offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia and the United States. For more information, visit http://www.wri.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
WRI Press Office:
Michael Oko, Director of Strategic Communications and Media
Tel: 202-729-7684
Email: moko@wri.org
For all other media enquiries, please contact:
Mojo PR
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