The 3rd International Symposium on Earth Observation for Arid and Semi-Arid Environments (ISEO 2016) was held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, from September 19 to 21, 2016. Themed as “Earth Observation for the Great Silk Road”, the symposium was organized by RADI and hosted by the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan (ASRT) and attended by more than 80 experts and scholars from nine countries and regions.
The symposium was presided over by Farhod Rahimi, President of ASRT and Co-chairman of ISEO 2016. Those giving keynote speeches included Prof. FU Bihong from RADI, Prof. Farshed Karimov from the ASRT Institute of Geology, Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Prof. Temurbulat Dzhalankuzov from the Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, and Prof. Sabur Abdullaev from ASRT.
At the Opening Ceremony, Farhod Rahimi reviewed the role of the previous two symposia in promoting science and technology cooperation in Central Asia and stressed the importance of science and technology in social development. He spoke highly of the ISEO series launched by RADI and the crucial role CAS has played in promoting international cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.
The symposium consisted of 50 academic speeches in six sessions. The discussion focused on such topics as theories and technologies of Earth observation and Digital Earth for eco-environment and urbanization, disaster mitigation and prevention, water resources, minerals and energy, and climate change.
The symposium adopted the Dushanbe Declaration, which pays much attention to strengthening the international cooperation of scientists on data sharing and experience and knowledge exchange as well as the smart application of new technologies in Earth observation for the sustainable development of countries in Central Asia.
According to the Declaration, ISEO 2018 will return to the city of Kashgar, Xinjiang of China.
The ISEO series, initiated by RADI, has been held every two years. The first symposium was held in Kashgar in 2012 and the second in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, in 2014.
ISEO 2016 opens in Tajikistan in September 19, 2016.
A scene of the opening ceremony.
Participants of the ISEO 2016.
