1. Decision Makers Researchers Private Sector EducationCitizens Raw dataProducts Processing services APIs Applications and APPs Games & Tutorial Directories

2. Community Portals Community of Practices Projects Public Data Providers Private Sectors / Value added services

3. Value of GEOSS?

4. Key Principles for GEOSS (system of system) will be a “system of systems” with components consisting of existing and future Earth observation systems across the processing cycle from primary observation to information production. is to be driven by user needs, support a broad range of implementation options, and be able to incorporate new technologies and approaches for data collection and analysis (e.g. new satellites, Internet of Things, Big Data, crowdsourcing and citizen science) is to address planned and existing observation systems required to improve the monitoring of the state of the Earth, increase understanding of Earth processes, and enhance prediction of the behavior of the Earth system thus underpinning sound decisions. is to include observing, processing, and dissemination capabilities interfaced through open interoperability arrangements agreed and implemented by the stakeholders observations and products are to abide to the Data Sharing Principles, and wherever possible be made available on a full and open access basis as part of the GEOSS Data CORE. They are to be created and stored in clearly defined formats, with metadata and quality indications to enable search, access, and re-use, and follow agreed Data Management Principles to ensure long-term sustainability. is to be open to new contributions for observations, data, information products and services by the private sector and civil society, and exploit the opportunities afforded by new technologies in ways that make GEOSS more relevant to wide segments in society, and trusted as a key source of information about our planet.

5. GEOSS Architecture Key Principles Effectiveness: the architecture should be capable of sufficient performance in all areas to meet GEOSS and stakeholder strategic goals and objectives Flexibility: the architecture should be scalable, to meet current and future requirements; flexible, to meet a broad variety and scale of GEOSS requirements; and agile, to be able to provide solutions across GEOSS with minimum tailoring and re-architecture Sustainability: the architecture should provide the solution for the near and long term, without a need for extraordinary investment, in a cost-efficient manner, as technology, policies, and data providers change Reliability: the architecture should be robust and not susceptible to single point failure, and allow GEOSS to meet users’ expectations and effectively manage risk. Openness: the architecture should be open and allow multiple stakeholders to connect their data and services and add value to the GEOSS information chain.

6. In drafting the GEO Strategic Plan 2016-2026: GEOSS Implementation (SP), the IPWG wants to try and make it very clear for anyone reading the SP what GEO does, what the GEOSS does and the role that the GCI plays in the GEOSS. Hence the SP will include a description of the GEOSS and attached to this email you will find the current draft of this text. But let me also stress that this is not the final text. The IPWG itself is working on updating this text and the feedback from the IIB meeting will be folded into this process. To help the IPWG in both finalising the initial draft of the Strategic Plan for consideration by EXCOM at its upcoming meeting in March and in preparing for the Work Plan Symposium (WPS) in May, the IPWG would like to pose 2 questions to the IIB: 1.What functionality should be implemented in the GCI and which components, (if any), does GEO itself need to commit to, in order to make the GEOSS work, (regardless at this moment in time of who we task with development/operations/maintenance)? The feedback from the IIB on this question will be incorporated into the SP, in an abridged form, (most likely in the text describing the GEOSS, but it could equally go elsewhere), and should also be set out in more detail in the Architecture Annex to the SP. 2.What are the technical / architectural challenges that GEO should look to address post-2015 and how can the architecture evolve to address these challenges? The feedback on this point should be brought to the Work Plan Symposium, although if there are important elements that the IIB feels should be included into the SP, then please do let me know immediately following your meeting. Whilst the current focus of the IPWG is on the preparation of the first version of the Strategic Plan itself, as you will be aware, the SP will have a small number of Annexes, including one entitled "Architectural Elements". This will enable the IIB, DSWG and DMPTF to provide a more detailed overview on the architectural elements of the GEOSS. And it has also been agreed that the IPWG will oversee the preparation of the 2016 Transitional Work Programme together with the GEO Secretariat and the GEO Community, including the IIB, DSWG and DMPTF. The upcoming WPS will therefore focus on preparing this document, which will include a reference section, where it is anticipated that the IIB, DSWG and DMPTF will be able to provide details of the work required to implement the GEOSS within the various domains under their responsibility. Hence their will be a hierarchy of documents: 1.the Strategic Plan, a framework document targeted at Ministers, their senior civil servants and key decision makers. (1st draft to be ready by early March for scrutiny by EXCOM and the GEO Community); 2.the Annexes to the SP, aimed at engaging heads of Agencies, senior system managers, decision makers, etc.. (Ideally, a 1st draft of the Architectural Elements Annex should be ready for the WPS); 3.the 2016 Transitional Work Programme Reference Document, with detailed sections targeted at those who have to carry out development / implementation / operation actions.

7. Objective The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) connects Earth observing and information systems, and processing tools around the world, made available in support of the purposes and actions of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Most observing systems exist in different organizational structures across the globe. The GEOSS brings together these systems to improve the monitoring of the state of the Earth, and enables linkages to relevant socio- economic data, to increase understanding of Earth processes and enhance predictions, thereby providing information for sound decision making

8. Definition GEOSS comprises both observing and information systems: Observation systems include ground-, air-, water- and space-based sensors, and citizen observatories. GEO works to coordinate the planning and operation of these systems, aiming to maximize their added-value and use. Information and processing systems include hardware (architecture) and software tools (such as models) needed for processing, handling and delivering data from the observation system to provide services and products. Data acquired by GEOSS observation systems, as well as products and services provided through GEOSS information systems are documented in metadata in standard formats, and provided under licenses that enable their integrated use.

9. Technical components GEO facilitates and enables elements of GEOSS to be developed and operated so that user information requirements can be met. GEO develops, implements and maintains a GEOSS Access Technical Environment (GATE) consisting of technical components that allow users to search, discover, and access: information about available observation systems and corresponding data holdings available available information products derived from these data, including through services documentation on user requirements, data and quality standards, interface standards and other documentation relevant for the use of GEOSS resources. Note: This list of functionalities will be finalized following feedback from the GEO Community and in particular the IIB, DMPTF, DSWG.