The “SPACE+ for our Earth and the Future” concept goes beyond the traditional space applications approaches to support the implementation of the Plan of Action. It seeks to: (a) augment digital innovations including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing and Big Data; (b) engage end-users in multiple sectors, youth and the private sector; (c) more effectively manage information through the creation of a regional or national cloud-based metadata platform; and (d) strengthen implementation through enhanced multi-sectoral partnership with global and regional stakeholders to help nurture the integration of geospatial information applications into the planning and actions that are being taken toward achieving the SDGs.

Fully leveraging the data that generated from satellite and multiple sources on the ground, will be vital for countries to monitor implementation of SDGs, to provide insights and knowledge on mega-trends and global phenomena, to unveil invisible uncertainty and complexity, to protect people in Asia and the Pacific from risks, and to augment the opportunity for development. ESCAP is supporting capacity development for young professional officials in countries in the Asia-Pacific region to use the integrated geospatial information for mitigating disaster risk, monitoring crop and drought for food security, mapping covid-19 pandemic and monitoring air pollution.

The secretariat will organize this Youth Forum to gather information on the state of the art of space and geospatial applications and the adoption of digital innovations in Asia and the Pacific. The Youth Forum will also stocktake the role of youth to develop space and geospatial applications and adopt digital innovation to support better implementation of the Plan of Action in its Phase II (2022-2026). The information gathered during the Youth Forum will provide critical inputs to study on “SPACE+ for our Earth and Future”.