The National Authority for Remote Sensing as a leading authority for African open science for North Africa

Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized the Ministry's interest in partnership efforts and international cooperation between Egyptian research bodies and international scientific institutions in order to benefit from scientific expertise in various fields to develop scientific research and make further progress on the development and economic path. The Minister referred to the Egyptian State interest in the space technology and satellite file, which played a vital role in achieving the objectives of sustainable development. He emphasized the follow-up to the implementation of the programme for the development of human and scientific capabilities in that field, the efforts to settle space technology in Egyptian universities and the raising of students' awareness of scientific disciplines and programmes in satellite technology and space research, and the graduation of a generation of qualified specialists in the field to serve the satellite industry. The Minister reviewed a report by Dr. Islam Abu Al-Magd, Chairman of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science, on the main activities, events and achievements of the Authority during 2023. The Remote Sensing Authority participated in several important meetings and conferences, notably a forum on "The role of remote sensing in the control and protection of environmental systems and support for environmental and developmental decision-making," in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, a conference at the University of Ain Shams on "research and studies on the use of remote sensing and dry information systems applications," the Fourth Forum of the Chinese Arab Relations of the Baido Satellite Navigation System, participation in the Cairo event ICT23 and organization of a scientific symposium on "The role of technology in agricultural development," as well as the participation of Dr. Islam Abu Al-Magd in the African Space Conference in

 Côte d'Ivoire; to discuss the role of space technology and remote sensing in achieving sustainable development and Africa's Agenda 2063, and the extent to which the agenda was achieved through modern techniques of space sensors and partnership among African States under Egypt's hosting of the headquarters of the African Space Agency. The Authority also received many delegations, agencies and senior officials at the local and international levels to discuss and promote joint cooperation in areas of common interest, notably UNESCO, the Institute for Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Regional Centre for Remote Sensing of North African States, the Kyushu Institute of Technology and the International Centre for Advanced Agricultural Studies of the Mediterranean Region. In cooperation with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the Authority announced the opening of the second incubation course for remote sensing and space science, funded by the National Technological Incubator Programme, with the aim of supporting promising and transformable technological ideas for emerging remote sensing and space science companies in the belief that it was necessary to create a supportive climate for young researchers ' innovators and creators. It also participated in a call for the continent of Africa to participate in challenges and incubators on the African continent, as well as organizing a series of training workshops for the incubator for remote sensing and space science. The Commission also won its appointment as the leader of the African Science Open to North Africa, in cooperation with the National Research Foundation of South Africa, to establish an African Science Platform, with the aim of supporting networking among African States, strengthening knowledge and infrastructure networks and strengthening common capabilities. The Authority also participated in three innovative ideas and emerging companies in Africa ' s challenge to remote sensing. The Authority also successfully prepared the first atlas of the impact of climate change on the northern coast, which was presented at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) hosted by the United Arab Emirates. As part of its awareness-raising, training and educational role, the National Remote Sensing and Space Science Authority organized a briefing day on small satellites for college students (engineering, the Training and Continuing Studies Division) for 233 students from Cairo University at the Bachelor of Arts College, Geomatics Division, and an intensive training programme on the use of advanced remote sensing and artificial intelligence techniques in the assessment of vegetation dynamics, as well as a training course for students on "Educational satellite launches," which the students successfully launched under the supervision of the Authority's professors.

The Authority organized the activities of the GMES and Africa Regional Forum, held in Sharm el-Sheikh under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the cooperation and partnership of the African and European Unions.

 A group of researchers and representatives of African countries participated in the event of the activation of the role of remote sensing in the development of the African continent. The Forum included several distinguished scientific sessions.