GARENET-E Workshop: Welcome Speech

International partners and representatives from the African continent Representatives from NEPAD Partners from academic institutions, research and development institution and organs of state Partners from industry and other partners from the Earth Observation & Disaster Management fraternity Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour and privilege to welcome you all to the GARNET-E Workshop.

We are grateful to the European Union for funding GARNET-E as a GMES project under the Seventh Framework Programme.

The focus of GARNET-E is important to us as an African continent.

It increases aware of the GMES Emergency Management Services to Africa more so along the priority lines identified under the AU-EC ‘GMES and Africa’ in consultation with the African Union. We are also grateful to Astrium GEO-Information Services UK for coordinating this effort.

The composition of the GARNET-E consortium which covers wide spectrum of interest groups from technical entities, research entities, remote sensing & emergency response groups, private companies, and small to medium enterprises is very appropriate in addressing disasters that transcend different spheres of social and economic activity.

It is only through such partnerships that we can be able to address the ever increasing frequency and intensity disasters and emergencies that humanity faces today. The technical and cultural complementary balance between African and European participants and balanced sharing of funds, makes this effort even more truly meaningful in driving the project from the African viewpoint.

While Africa appreciates things that are done “for” Africa, it appreciates more those things that are “with” Africa. As Africans we want to be involved in solving our problems. We want to be taught how to fish that to have someone fish for us. In this regard the GATRNET-E approach that builds on existing African capabilities in highly commended. Further, the integration of African requirements in the definition of regional, national and local services is very important in increasing the relevance of the services and solutions that are provided, their effectiveness and buy-in into the project.

I want to conclude by referring to the developments in the South African context.

South Africa launched the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in December last year.
SANSA was established to better coordinate space activities and lead the implementation of the National Space Strategy.
SANSA has six main programmes, namely, Earth Observation, Space Operations, Space Science, Space Engineering, Human Capital Development, and Science Advancement & Public Engagement.

On behalf of SANSA, I would like to express our intention to maintain and establish new partnerships and collaborations with all of you and your institutions in any area of mutual benefit.

Lastly, I would like to wish you a very productive workshop. May you have a very fruitful two days of engagement and discussions.

Thank you.

Dr Sandile Malinga, CEO, SANSA