Inter agency meeting on outer space activities 2013: report

This document summarizes the conclusions of the joint UNOOSA/UNISDR open informal session of the United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting on outer space activities: "Space and disaster risk reduction: Planning for resilient human settlements" - Perspectives towards the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The aim of the open informal session was to understand how the integrated and coordinated use of space-based and terrestrial technologies and their applications can play a crucial role in supporting disaster risk management and reduction by: (i) providing accurate and timely information and communication support through improved risk assessment, early warning and monitoring of disasters; (ii) improving access to geospatial data and information; and (iii) building capacities to use scientific knowledge in areas such as climate monitoring, land use planning, water management, disaster risk reduction, health and food security, to allow for more accurate environmental and social impact assessments and lead to more informed decision-making at all levels.