UNU-INWEH Supports Launch of Global Online Earth Observation Course at UNCOPUOS 2026
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) has joined international partners in supporting the launch of a new online course titled Earth Observation for Sustainable Development: Harnessing the Power of Chinese Satellites. The launch took place during the 69th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) held in Vienna.
The event, hosted at the Vienna International Centre alongside an APSCO Reception co-organized with the Delegation of the People’s Republic of China and the Permanent Mission of Türkiye, gathered over 100 participants from governments, international organizations, and the space and sustainable development sectors.
In a video message, UNU-INWEH Director Prof. Kaveh Madani emphasized the importance of integrating Earth observation technologies into decision-making processes for water management, environmental protection, and public health. He highlighted the role of accessible geospatial data in strengthening global capacity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The newly launched course aims to build international expertise in using satellite data for sustainable development. It offers free training for practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and students in fields such as GIS, remote sensing, disaster management, water resources, and environmental monitoring. The curriculum covers satellite systems, data processing, SAR applications, and real-world case studies supporting SDG implementation.
The initiative underscores growing international collaboration in expanding access to space-based technologies for global sustainability and resilience.
