UNOOSA signs cooperation agreement with the University of Bonn
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Bonn, Germany, that paves the way for joint activities to support Member States in using space-based information in all phases of disaster management over the next five years.
Natural and man-made disasters lead to loss of lives and property, displace people from their homes and destroy livelihoods, and threaten to jeopardize sustainable development efforts worldwide. Through its spatial and temporal coverage, satellite-based information provides crucial insights about disaster risks and emergency situations.
Under the title "Spaceborne Earth Observation Applications for Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction (SPEAR)", the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), a programme implemented by UNOOSA and based in Bonn, and the Centre for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) at the University of Bonn will work together to understand user needs, develop solutions and strengthen institutional capacities in using space-based information for disaster monitoring and prevention.
UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo said: "SPEAR brings together the research excellence of the Centre for Remote Sensing of the University of Bonn and the capacity-building experience and networks of the UN-SPIDER programme to develop tailored solutions that help reduce disaster risk, respond to emergency situations and achieve sustainable development."
"For the University of Bonn this is a big step forward," said Prof. Dr. Klaus Greve from the Centre for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) at the University of Bonn. "We are sure the cooperation will lead us to new findings and insights. We can build new and better research, and better educate the next generation of experts."