Representatives of ESA and Commission come together to discuss environmental security
15 October 2001 - 15 October 2001
The next steps in establishing European global monitoring for environment and security (GMES), one of the main pillars in collaboration between the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA), will be discussed at a high level meeting in Brussels on 15 October.
The first moves towards the joint initiative were taken in November 2000, at both the ESA ministers' council and the EU Research council. Followed up at the Gothenburg summit in June 2001, the commitment was made to have a European capacity for GMES operational by 2008. The conference will bring together the head of ESA, Antonio Rodotà, the European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin and the head of the European Research council, François-Xavier de Donnea, as well as national and international political, academic and research representatives.
As well as providing invaluable environmental information, relating to treaty conformity, environmental degradation and data on natural resources, GMES will also have a key security role to play. But at present, this is related purely to environmental and civil security, and the organisers are keen to emphasise that no military application is planned at present. Its security applications are geared towards environmental hazards and crisis management.
Discussions among the main players at the conference will form the basis for debate on the GMES issue at the Research council planned at the end of October, as well as the ESA ministerial council on 14 and 15 November.For further information, please contact:
Franco Bonacina
Tel: +33-1-53697155
Fax: +33-1-53697690
or
Françoise Pokorni
Tel: +32-2-2383563
Fax: +32-2-2383912
The first moves towards the joint initiative were taken in November 2000, at both the ESA ministers' council and the EU Research council. Followed up at the Gothenburg summit in June 2001, the commitment was made to have a European capacity for GMES operational by 2008. The conference will bring together the head of ESA, Antonio Rodotà, the European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin and the head of the European Research council, François-Xavier de Donnea, as well as national and international political, academic and research representatives.
As well as providing invaluable environmental information, relating to treaty conformity, environmental degradation and data on natural resources, GMES will also have a key security role to play. But at present, this is related purely to environmental and civil security, and the organisers are keen to emphasise that no military application is planned at present. Its security applications are geared towards environmental hazards and crisis management.
Discussions among the main players at the conference will form the basis for debate on the GMES issue at the Research council planned at the end of October, as well as the ESA ministerial council on 14 and 15 November.For further information, please contact:
Franco Bonacina
Tel: +33-1-53697155
Fax: +33-1-53697690
or
Françoise Pokorni
Tel: +32-2-2383563
Fax: +32-2-2383912