Preparing the Asia and Pacific Region for the Information Age in the New Millennium

Dr. He Changchui, who was manager of ESCAP/RRSP and Chief of ESCAP Space Applications Section, is now Chief, Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) of the Sustainable Development Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

In the last two decades, Asia and the Pacific Region has gone a long way in remote sensing technology development and applications. Among the driving forces, one of the most significant events was the founding of the Asian Association of Remote Sensing (AARS) in 1981 and the associated academic activities thereafter, in particular the annual Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS).

Today, AARS has grown mature and become a dynamic organization with a distinguished Asian identity. With its special charisma, AARS is attracting remote sensing scientists, technologists, applications specialists, industrialists and entrepreneurs, as well as government decision-makers and planners throughout the region, Europe and North America. Through the annual get-together of the diversified remote sensing communities, ACRS has admirably promoted scientific exchange, cooperation on research, education and training, and facilitated technology transfer in the region in geo-informatics.

Working hand in hand with governments, academic societies and education institutions, AARS is an important partner in developing capabilities in space applications in Asia and the Pacific. In particular, in close co-operation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), through its former Regional Remote Sensing Programme and the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP) that was launched by the first ever Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific in Beijing, China, in September 1994, AARS plays a significant role in making Asia a success story in space technology development and applications. Noticeably, some 20 remote sensing satellite ground stations are running in parallel with numerous meteorological satellite ground stations for operational acquisition of environmental data in the region. There are about 30 national remote sensing programmes or centres with more than 20,000 remote sensing specialists working on over 2,000 natural resource and environmental management projects. In recent years, over ten thousand geographic information systems have been established in various sectors, ranging from government planning offices to environmental agencies. Several countries with large territories have invested more than US$100 million each in the development of spatial information infrastructure. At least nine members have been involved in national multimission small satellite projects. The region in 1998 had access to more than 80 communication satellites providing over 1,700 transponders for telecom-munications and TV broadcasting. The realization was growing that space technology and applications are inextricably part of the social and economic development of the region.

At the dawn of the 21st century, the challenges and opportunities are seen as co-existing, and as such both quite formidable. Natural resources and environmental issues, coupled with population expansion, need the continued attention of all concerned. Much scientific work still needs to be carried out to have better understanding of the global environmental change issues, in order to produce practical solutions for decision-makers and planners at various levels. No doubt, information and decision support tools have been an essential component for addressing issues such as global environmental changes and their impacts on agriculture and food security and sustainable development. Methodologies and capability need to be further developed to help member countries in implementing Agenda 21, in environmental monitoring, assessment of natural resources and associated modelling and analysis. There is also an increasing demand for an enhanced national capacity in national reporting on environmental conventions such as the Conventions on Control of Desertification, Biodiversity and Climate Change, including assisting in realization of Clean Development Mechanisms, emissions trade and joint implementations that have been proposed at the Kyoto Conference. In the final analysis, there is a clear recognition of the need to prepare the Asia and Pacific Region for an information age in the new millennium, to address complex issues in relation to environmental, social and economic development through a more integrated and holistic approach.

AARS, as a regional magnet with its 20 years experience in helping remote sensing communities in the region, should no doubt be in a solid position to capitalize this regional asset and meet the new challenges, and to help both scientifically and practically in strengthening space technology applications capacity in the region in dealing with ongoing and emerging issues.

Wishing AARS, following the academic foundations and application practices created by the generation of founding members, led by Prof. Shunji Murai, continue to strengthen cooperation with all partners and lead the remote sensing communities in Asia and the Pacific into the new Millennium with a fresh, new vision