Media advisory

Members of the media are invited to attend the official opening ceremony of the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security for Africa (GMES and Africa) Southern Africa Regional Stakeholder Workshop on the impact of Earth observation services and technologies on regional socioeconomic, environmental and security activities and targets in Southern Africa.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) will host a press conference at the GMES and Africa Regional workshop on 26 September 2022, at the CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC) in Pretoria.

GMES and Africa is an Africa-wide initiative that is a result of the longstanding cooperation between Africa and Europe. The objectives are to strengthen the long-term European Union-Africa Union Commission cooperation on space science and technology, enable the two continents to jointly address and solve global challenges and promote sustainable development under the Copernicus Programme. Ultimately, the initiative will provide decision-makers with the information and tools needed for the implementation of sustainable environmental policies at continental, regional and national levels.

The CSIR is a leading consortium in Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, while SASSCAL is the leading consortium in Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Service for Transboundary Basins in Southern Africa. The CSIR and SASSCAL are hosting the workshop to showcase their results and engage with stakeholders in Southern African Development Community on GMES activities.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to promote and encourage mutual exchanges in terms of sharing best practices, knowledge, and experiences, as well as allow for the exchange of information and knowledge on new and innovative Earth observation technologies developed under the programme and their alignment with the region’s sustainable development strategies.

Expected to participate, are international delegates from Europe and Africa. These include the member countries’ policymakers, line ministers from the SADC countries, public and private sector stakeholders, implementers, Basin Commissions, researchers, and any other stakeholders whose activities are related to coastal areas, rivers, and their ecosystems.

A press conference will be held at the end of the official opening ceremony to address the media and attend to questions. Attached hereto is the programme of the event. A media statement will be released after the opening ceremony.

Media is invited as follows:

Date: Monday, 26 September 2021
Time: 09:30 – 11:45
Venue: CSIR ICC, Meiring Naude Rd, Brummeria, Pretoria

RSVP to Ntombi Dyosop on NDyosop@csir.co.za or Chumisa Ndlazi on CNdlazi@csir.co.za

Enquiries:
David Mandaha, CSIR Media Relations Manager
Tel: 012 841 3654
Mobile: 072 126 8910
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za 

AND/OR

Ester Nakanduungile: SASSCAL Communications and Marketing Officer
Mobile: +264811470302
Email: ester.nakanduungile@sasscal.org