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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Bureau
ZIMBABWE is hosting the first ever African Global Earth Observation System of Systems (AfriGEOSS) symposium which seeks to capacitate countries to deal with climate change challenges.

The symposium started on Tuesday under the theme: “Earth Observations for the Africa We Want.”

The guest of honour and Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Simon Khaya Moyo, said the first ever AfriGEOSS symposium couldn’t have come at a better time as the region is faced with a serious drought.

“The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is dealing with critical areas for sustainability of life on earth and that includes agriculture, biodiversity, disasters, water, weather, climate, health, energy and ecosystems,” said the Minister.

He said Zimbabwe joined the Group of Earth Observation last year as it provides a platform for collectively                                                               observing the earth for humanity’s common good.

“I wish to affirm Zimbabwe’s support for GEOSS activities and look forward to our country benefiting from evidence based decision making.

‘‘It resonates well with Zim-Asset,” Moyo said.

“The goals of GEOSS are consistent with our national research priorities that include the need to have a sustainable environment and natural resources management and promotion and maintenance of good health, food security and human security particularly as it relates to protection of the population from natural disasters such as droughts.”

The Minister encouraged African countries to join the bloc as the continent was the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Of the 102 world members, 27 are from Africa with four of them from Sadc.

Among other objectives, the symposium seeks to understand the role of earth observations in the implementation of African policies for sustainable development, identify means and ways for mainstreaming earth observations in the decision making processes in Africa.

In attendance are representatives from most African countries.