First MESA Forum to be held in Kenya

The forum will examine how earth observation data through the MESA Project supports policy, planning and decision making at the national, regional and continental level in Africa.

"By enhancing access to and exploitation of relevant earth observation applications at continental, regional and national levels, the MESA Project contributes to the increase of information management, decision-making and planning capacity of African institutions mandated for agriculture, environment, climate, fisheries, food security and related responsibilities. This is critical for African regional integration," the commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission, Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, said.

Effective contribution

The EU delegation to the African Union on their part through Anna Burylo, head of Cooperation, said the EU is strongly committed to ensure that MESA contributes effectively to the establishment of a coherent framework for the development of earth observation activities in order for space to strategically contribute to Africa's socio-economic development.

Also speaking at the briefing, Zachary Atheru, the project manager for MESA IGAD, stated that the Forum comes at a time when data is being used by organisations to plan and execute initiatives that have a long-term social and economic impact.

Delegates will get the chance to exchange best practices that have helped African governments and organisations to establish coherent frameworks for the development of earth observation activities which are influencing policy for environmental sustainability for future generations.