For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OS/504
11 October 2018
VIENNA, 11 October 2018 (UN Information Service) - On 1 October 2018 , Delta State University, Cleveland, MS (United States) joined the network of Regional Support Offices (RSOs) of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), a programme implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Established in 2006 under UNOOSA, UN-SPIDER acts as a gateway to space-based information for disaster management support, connecting the disaster management and space communities and facilitating capacity-building and institutional strengthening in this field, in particular for developing countries.
A UN-SPIDER RSO is a regional or national centre of excellence in the use of space technology in disaster management which supports the implementation of UN-SPIDER activities in its region of operation. An RSO can be hosted by a space agency, a research centre, a university, or a disaster management institution, to name but a few examples. These offices communicate and coordinate with UN-SPIDER on a regular basis, engaging in outreach and capacity-building, as well as horizontal cooperation and technical advisory support. With the addition of Delta State University, UN-SPIDER now has a family of 23 RSOs.
The agreement with Delta State University is the result of a long association of Mr. Talbot Brooks, Director, Delta State Geospatial Information Technologies Centre ( GIT) of Delta State University, with UN-SPIDER. Mr. Brooks has contributed to UN-SPIDER technical advisory missions and follow-up programmes in several countries. He has also organised technical visits of disaster management officials from countries supported by UN-SPIDER to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and provided experts to contribute to UN-SPIDER programmes.
"At UNOOSA, we are proud of this partnership, which is the result of a long-standing collaboration with Delta State University GIT. Delta State University and UNOOSA are both committed to providing accessible education and training on geospatial services technologies and leveraging them for supporting disaster management. Delta State University is an important addition to UN-SPIDER's network of RSOs and adds a North-American location to our existing coverage," said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.
The agreement with Delta State University will be effective from 1 October 2018 for a period of 3 years.
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For more information about UNOOSA, please contact:
Ottavia
Pesce
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43 699) 1459 8718
Email: pesce[at]un.org
