1. Presentation to the 26 th CEOS Plenary at Bengaluru, India 24-27 October, 2012 CEOS Perspectives on Post-2015 GEO Timothy Stryker and Brent Smith

2. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Nov 2011: GEO Post-2015 WG established; CEOS names representatives Mar 2012: SIT-27 convened CEOS ad hoc team on Post-2015 GEO Mar 2012: GEO Post-2015 WG meetings (CEOS representation) 30 May 2012: CEOS recommendations provided to GEO WG Co-Chairs CEOS recommendations taken into account in WG paper provided to July GEO ExCom ExCom requested justification of GEO’s mission and value added Sep 2012: GEO Post-2015 WG (CEOS representation) Articulated rationale for GEO continuation and core functions of GEOSS implementation Outlined issues, options, and recommendations to GEO-IX Plenary Strategic Direction Societal Benefit Areas Governance Nov 2012: WG will use GEO-IX response and guidance to prepare decision document for 2013 GEO-X and Ministerial CEOS and GEO Post-2015 WG Milestones

3. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Why GEO should continue beyond 2015: Rationale 1: Address urgent global challenges Rationale 2: Support sustainable development Rationale 3: Building on GEO’s existing accomplishments Recommendation 1: The WG strongly believes that the need for GEO remains and that, while recognizing there is room for improvement, GEO is making significant progress towards meeting its Strategic Targets. Considering the urgency of the global challenges faced by humanity and the benefits of a response involving an international, collective approach to supplying Earth observations, the WG recommends that GEO, and the implementation of GEOSS, be continued. Should GEO Continue?

4. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Strategic Direction Options A: GEO will function as a catalyst; identify needs for application and services: financial model would remain unchanged B: In addition to A, GEO will commit appropriate resources to implement/sustain a more robust/expanded GEOSS information system; a strengthened financial model needs to be elaborated C: In addition to B, GEO will incubate specific applications and services and arrange for these to be adopted/supported/managed by specific governments/organizations; a moderately strengthened model for GEO would need to be elaborated D: In addition to C, GEO will develop and deliver, on a continuing basis, a sequence of operational applications and services in support of international priorities; need entirely new financial model Recommendation 2: Considering the demonstrated success of the incubation model, the Post- 2015 WG recommends Plenary endorse Strategic Direction Option C for the period 2015-2025. Issues, Options, WG Recommendations

5. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Societal Benefit Area Options A: Retain the overall current SBA structure (status quo) B: Maintain the current basic SBA structure while allowing for modifications, and explore linkages to sustainable development framework themes: --Sustainable Economics (economic development) --Resilient Society (social development) --Vibrant Planet (environmental protection) C: Restructure the work of GEO around sustainable development framework themes, building on successes of the current structure Recommendation 3: Given the historical background that gave rise to GEO and links with sustainable development issues since its inception, the Post-2015 WG recommends Plenary endorse SBA Structure Option B for the period 2015-2025. Issues, Options, WG Recommendations (continued)

6. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Governance Model Options A: The current GEO governance structure will be maintained (voluntary, non-juridical, and flexible) B: The current GEO governance structure will be maintained; additionally, linkages with other relevant Earth-observation organizations, including the private sector, should be improved and resources to sustain key components of GEOSS should be identified C: GEO will be constituted as a totally new, formal intergovernmental program or organizations, with mandatory financial contributions and a more formalized governance structure Recommendation 4 In the interest of preserving GEO as a flexible, agile and inclusive international partnership, the Post-2015 WG recommends Plenary endorse Governance Option B for the period 2015-2015. Issues, Options, WG Recommendations (continued)

7. The 26 th CEOS Plenary – Bengaluru, India - 24-27 October, 2012 Strengthening Observation Networks (Space-Based, Airborne, and Particularly In-Situ) Advancing Interoperability and Integration of Earth Observations Enhancing Data Access and Sharing Building Capacity Encouraging Research and Development of Integrated Applications of Earth Observations, and of Global Earth Observation Datasets Core Functions for Post-2015 GEOSS Implementation