Ethiopia / AU project satellite receiving station to be launched 29 April

 

 

 

Ethiopia / AU project satellite receiving station to be launched 29 April

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Africa Union Commission (AUC) will, tomorrow,  Wednesday 29 April 2009, inaugurate the AU- AMESD  project satellite receiving station at the AUC Headquarters, in Addis Ababa.   

 

AMESD is financed by the European Union (EU) with the general objective of enhancing environmental monitoring for preparedness and adaptation as well as management of the African environment thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. Meanwhile, the purpose of the AMESD project is to increase the information management capacity of the African continental, regional, and national institutions in support of decision making processes at different levels to facilitate sustainable access to Africa wide environmental information based on Earth Observation (EO) system. The project is using existing satellite data receiving stations for downloading data and help capacity building in data analysis of meteorological applications for development and policy advice in the environment and natural resources field.

 

The inauguration ceremony is expected to take place in the presence of H.E Mr. Jean PING, Chairperson of the AUC; Mrs. Rhoda Peace TUMUSIIME, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the AUC; other AUC Commissioners and Directors; Dr. Lars Prahm, Director General of EUMETSAT; Mr. Christophe Kamp, EU Delegation to the AU, Embassies of AU Member States in Addis Ababa, African Development Bank (AfDB), UN agencies, Ethiopian delegation and staff of AUC.

 

After statements by the AUC REA Commissioner, the EU delegate and the EUMETSAT Director General, a presentation will be made on the AMESD project, EUMETSAT and its satellite program, alongside EUMETSAT activities in Africa.    

 

There are five participating Regional Economic Communities (RECs) / and International Organizations in the AMESD Programme. i.e Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC)

 

 

Journalists are invited to take part and cover the event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, 29 April 2009, from 11:00 – 1300, at the AUC Headquarters. 

 

Attached is the Program of the AMESD – EUMETSAT Day

 

 

 

 

 

AU-African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development (AMESD) – European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellite (EUMETSAT) Day

 

29 April 2009

 

 

Morning session

                       
 

11:00                           Inauguration ceremony of the AU African Monitoring for Sustainable Development (AMESD) Project satellite receiving station (Outside by the soccer field)

Welcome address by H.E. Mrs. Rhoda Peace TUMUSIIME, Commissioner, REA

Intervention by the AMESD Programme Coordinator

Address by Dr. Lars PRAHM, Director-General EUMETSAT 

Address by Mr. Christophe Kamp, EU delegation to the AU

Keynote Address by H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson, AUC

Cutting of the tape

 

12:30                           Press Conference (AUC Media Centre)

                                    AU Commission

                                    EU Delegation to the AU

                                    EUMETSAT

                                   
 

13:00-14:00                 Lunch break

 

Afternoon session

 

14:30-16:15                 “AU-AMESD and EUMETSAT: a Sustainable Partnership” Plenary Hall for all AUC Staff.

 

AMESD project

EUMETSAT satellites programme and activities in Africa

 

16:15-16:30                 Coffee break

 

16:30-18:30                 “AU-AMESD and EUMETSAT: a Sustainable Partnership” Plenary Hall for all AUC Staff.

 

Application of EUMETSAT data and products in Africa

AU-AMESD and EUMETSAT contribution

Added value of EUMETSAT for future African programmes

 

18:30-19:30                 Cocktail (Congo Hall)

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)