During GEO Week 2021, the Group on Earth Observations will present the multidisciplinary activities of the GEO Work Programme that address policy agendas involved in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

The online event will include the GEO-17 plenary, plus anchor and side events. Time will be scheduled each day for virtual networking. On Monday, November 22, the 56th Executive Committee will be held as a closed meeting.

Of particular importance will be the anchor events: These are the main events designed by GEO week 2021 organisers to explain the multidisciplinary nature of GEO through the concept of nexus thinking. Working on multiple topics simultaneously is essential in today’s rapidly changing environmental and social conditions. For example, work in one area will have a knock-on effect or impact in another area, such as the water, energy and food nexus. These events are linked to the global policy agendas that underpin most of GEO’s work.

Image credit: NASA

FIRA is a leading global event series, which this year is focused on the new era of robotics in agriculture and the huge impact it will have on the whole value chain. For the sixth year running, FIRA will be a hybrid in-person/online event, and is expected to attract 3000-plus attendees from around the world, including robot manufacturers, agricultural businesses, producers, investors, suppliers and entrepreneurs.

Advancing Earth Observation Forum 2022 will be a face-to-face, fully interactive forum. It will host user, industry, government, research and technical focused plenaries and interactive panels, poster and workshop sessions to interest and engage end-users, industry, researchers, government, analysts, start-up companies, educators and students.

The World of Drones and Robotics Congress 2022 is scheduled to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Similar to 2021, it will be held in a hybrid format — in-person and online.

The World of Drones and Robotics Congress New Zealand (WoDaRC NZ) is shaping up as an unmissable event for anyone involved in robotics, drones, AI, AgTech and data-led innovation. WoDaRC is business-led, technology based and will create opportunities for collaboration and growth across the technology ecosystem.

Topics to be covered include:

• Regional capability and strategy
• Humanitarian engineering and disaster response
• Environmental science and agricultural technology
• The new frontiers: oceans, mountains, and space
• Movies, media, community, and social empowerment
• Education

Hydrographers and all those with an interest in hydrography and related disciplines, are invited to attend a World Hydrography Day 2023 Seminar in Suva, Fiji, on 22 and 23 June.

The seminar will be held jointly by the Australasian Hydrographic Society and the Fiji Hydrographic Service. The venue will be the Moana Anglican Services and Teaching Centre at St John the Baptist Theological College.

The organisers are calling for potential sponsors and presenters to get in touch.

The theme for World Hydrography Day 2023 is ‘Hydrography: Contributing to the United Nations Ocean Decade’.

The seminar comes after a two-year pause due to the COVID pandemic and associated travel restrictions. It will provide an opportunity for professionals to network and share hydrospatial knowledge through presentations and discussion.

It is also intended that the presentations will highlight the empowerment of women within the hydrography field.

Registration is free but places are limited. Registrations must be secured by close of business, Tuesday, 20 June 2023.