Reception hosted by Ambassador Ihara for the 39th Session of the GEO Executive Committee (March 9, 2017)

　On March 9, on the occasion of the 39th Session of the GEO (Group on Earth Observations) Executive Committee, Ambassador Junichi Ihara hosted a reception at the WMO headquarters.
　A central part of the GEO’s mission is to build the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which is a set of coordinated, independent Earth observation, information and processing systems using a variety of means, including space-based, ocean and in-situ observations. Established in 2005, GEO currently consists of a partnership of 104 national governments, the European Commission, and 106 participating organizations. Since GEO’s inception, Japan has positively contributed to building the GEOSS through, for example, hosting the Earth Observation Summit in Tokyo.
　Over 50 guests from the Executive Committee and the GEO Secretariat participated in this event to exchange their views on the future role of GEO. Participants also expressed their appreciation for Japan’s contributions to GEO.

Opening speech by Ambassador Ihara

Mr. Satoru Ohtake, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan

Mr. Robert-Jan Smits, GEO Lead Co-Chair

Dr. Barbara Ryan, GEO Secretariat Director

Over 50 guests from the Executive Committee and the GEO Secretariat attended the reception.