This year’s GEO Week and Ministerial Summit, held in Cape Town, South Africa, under the theme ‘The Earth is Talking’, was a defining moment for the GEOGLAM community. More than just a meeting of minds, this event showcased the global commitment to innovation and understanding in the field of Earth observations.
Throughout the week, the GEOGLAM community actively participated in the event’s agenda. The team was involved in various formats, including numerous flash talks, showcases, and workshops, each highlighting their commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security.

CapDev Working Group: Fostering Collaboration and Progress
A key aspect of GEOGLAM’s participation was the proactive co-development approach of the CapDev working group. Led by co-chair Andy Nelson (ITC), the group held a strategic meeting to discuss their ongoing work and future plans. This gathering demonstrated the group’s focus on continuous co-development.
An exciting upcoming development is a new webinar series based on the GEOGLAM Capacity Co-Development Guidance, a hands-on resource developed by the community, to help guide the design, implementation and evaluation of capacity development activities and interventions. This insightful document was recently published and is set to be featured on the GEO Knowledge Hub in 2024.

Spotlight on Impact: Stories in the GEO 2023 Report
GEOGLAM’s impact was notably highlighted in the GEO 2023 Highlights Report. This annual report,
which compiles and shares updates on the GEO community’s efforts, highlighted two particularly
significant GEOGLAM stories, illustrating the initiative’s critical role in addressing global agricultural
challenges:

• Assessing the impact of conflict on agriculture production in Ukraine
• Improved agricultural statistics boost monitoring and reporting

The full report emphasized how the GEO community is tackling some of the most pressing global challenges related to land, water, biodiversity, and climate change, aiming to create and enhance societal impacts and benefits. These stories were continuously displayed at the GEO booth throughout the week, engaging attendees with the tangible impacts of GEOGLAM’s work.

A big thank you to all NASA Harvest and JRC/Copernicus4GEOGLAM partners for these amazing contributions.

Celebration of Collaboration: The GEOGLAM Team Impact Award
A proud moment for the GEOGLAM community was receiving the GEO 2023 Team Impact Award. This award was a testament to the team’s outstanding collaborative efforts in developing solutions for sustainable development, climate change, and food security. GEOGLAM Director Sven Gilliams, in his acceptance speech, reflected on the team’s dedication and the importance of their work in facing global challenges.

In his speech to the GEO plenary on the ‘Team Impact Award’, former GEOGLAM Director, Mr. Ian Jarvis, emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and increased support for GEOGLAM and other GEO initiatives. He highlighted the essential role of sustained technical and financial backing in enhancing the community’s impact and effectiveness.

Honoring Leadership and Innovation
The event also recognized individual achievements. Ms. Meghavi Prashnani (UMD, NASA Harvest) was awarded the ‘Emerging Leader Award’ for her substantial contributions and over ten years of dedicated service to food security initiatives. Her innovative work with geospatial data has significantly advanced GEO’s objectives, particularly in addressing global food security challenges.

Looking Ahead
GEO Week marked an important transition for GEOGLAM. The GEO Secretariat celebrated the contributions of the outgoing Director, Mr. Ian Jarvis, and welcomed the new Director, Mr. Sven Gilliams. This change signifies a new phase for GEOGLAM as it continues its vital work in the field.