3rd Communities of Practice (CoP) Integrated Workshop 2025 - Opening Session

This resource contains the materials presented during the Opening Session at the Communities of Practice (CoP) Integrated Workshop. Session description: This session introduced the SA-GEO Knowledge Hub as South Africa's national platform for Earth Observation (EO) data access, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. The session highlighted the progress made since the 2024 workshop and training engagements and positioned the national platform within the broader global GEO Knowledge Hub ecosystem. Presentations provided insights into the development of the SA-GEO Knowledge Hub, its role in strengthening access to EO knowledge resources, and how it supports national coordination across institutions and communities. The session concluded with a live demonstration of the platform and a formal launch statement recognising its importance in advancing the use of EO data, knowledge sharing, and collaborative solutions for societal resilience and sustainable development. Moderator• Flora Makgale, Human Settlements and Spatial Planning CoP Co-Chair Speakers• Recap of 2024 Workshop and Training Outcomes – Lulu Makapela, Manager, NEOSS• The GEO Knowledge Hub – A Global Perspective – Paola De Salvo, Felipe Carlos, Kalamkas Yessimkhanova, GEO Knowledge Hub Team, GEO Secretariat• South Africa's GEO Knowledge Hub Platform – Tshisi Mphaphuli, EO Infrastructure CoP Co-Chair and Chief Advisor, Geoscience, NTSA• SA-GEO Knowledge Hub Live Demonstration – Kwanele Ngongoma, Junior Systems Administrator, NEOSS• SA-GEO Knowledge Hub Launch Statement – Itumeleng Makoloi, Acting Chief Director, Space Science and Technology, DSTI