Workshop to prepare the first youth declaration at the Group on Earth Observations

The Department of Science and Innovation, in partnership with the global Group on Earth Observations (GEO), will host a youth workshop in Cape Town from 4 to 6 October.

The workshop is a precursor to the GEO Ministerial Summit from 6 to 10 November. This is the first time the summit, which will draw experts from around the world, will be hosted by South Africa.

GEO is an intergovernmental organisation working to improve the availability, access and use of Earth observations for the benefit of society.  It works to actively enhance and coordinate global Earth observation systems and promote broad, open data sharing.

The GEO Summit, held under the theme "The Earth Talks", will focus on the sharing and use of Earth observation data to tackle the growing impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

For the first time, young people will present a declaration at the GEO Summit.  This week's youth workshop will see young people in South Africa coming together to work on the declaration.  The three-day programme is intended to give young people a voice and training in how to write declarations of this kind.

The media are invited as follows:

Date:               Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Time:              09:00 to 13:00

Venue:           Cresta Grande Hotel

Corner Strand and Loop Streets, Cape Town

For media enquiries and attendance, contact Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..