Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) has held an International conference that began from 13th and ends 15th today August 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.
The theme of this year’s Conference is “EARTH: Our only Home”, added Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza, RCMRD’s Director General. He went further and delivered a keynote address at the 2024 RCMRD International Conference by also welcoming all the Guests and stakeholders to the Conference.
The conference saw discussions intensified on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) data and solutions to drive sustainable development across various stakeholders.
The plenary session featured contributions from key experts in the field including:
Ms Marie Makuate from GEOSPATIAL GIRLS AND KIDS, Cameroon, presented the importance of geospatial education and empowerment among young girls and children, particularly in leveraging EO technologies for societal benefit.
Priscilla Niyokwirindwa from the University of Rwanda-CGIS discussed integrating EO data in academic research and its impact on policy formulation and implementation.
Dr Judith Atukunda from the International Land Coalition explored the intersection of land rights, EO data, and sustainable land management practices in Africa.
Dr Paula Kahumbu from Wildlife Direct, Kenya, provided insights into the role of EO in wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity in the region.
These presentations were followed by parallel thematic sessions focusing on “Land Administration and Management“, where experts discussed the application of EO in addressing land administration challenges and improving land management practices. This session was moderated by Joseph Murage, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at RCMRD, and featured the following presentations:
Chinenye Mezie Nwafor from Orizu College of Education Nsugbe, Nigeria, presented on “Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Lands using Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in Nigeria,” exploring how EO tools can be used to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
Kananelo Bookholane discussed the development of water resources management plans in Lesotho, focusing on enhanced management, protection, and sustainable utilisation of water resources through EO-based strategies.
Iradukunda Valentine from the Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management, Addis Ababa University, presented the “Impacts of Land Use Land Cover Change on Water Balance Components,” using the Gobele watershed in the Wabe Shebelle Basin, Ethiopia, as a case study to illustrate the effects of land cover changes on water resources.
Kelvin Muli from the Conservation Alliance of Kenya Land Management presented a case study on the “Preservation of Knowledge Systems through Integration of Indigenous Knowledge System,” focusing on the Ogiek community in Mau Forest, Kenya, and how indigenous knowledge can complement EO data for sustainable land management.
Dimitrios and Douglas Rono from the World Resources Institute (WRI) discussed “Land Cover for Africa, Land Administration, Sustainable Urban Development, and Energy Access Explorer,” highlighting using EO data to support urban development and improve access to energy in Africa.
RIC2024 offers a unique opportunity to showcase organization’s work, areas to learn, and networking avenues.
The third day of the AfriGEO Symposium and the second day of the RCMRD International Conference 2024 concluded with comprehensive discussions on the importance of EO data, in-situ data, policy linkages, and decision-makers adopting EO-based solutions. Furthermore, these discussions underscored the need to effectively implement EO strategies to accelerate social and economic growth across Africa, emphasising the continent’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements for sustainable development.
RIC2024 offers a unique opportunity to showcase organization’s work, learn, and network with other professionals. With more than 4,000 attendees over the past six years, including ministers, government officials, scientists, development partners, researchers, academics, and media groups. We anticipate to host over 1,500 delegates
The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), previously known as Regional Centre for Services in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (RCSSMRS) was established in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
