Mr. Han Qunli, Professor of CBAS and Chair of the SDG Working Group for Big Earth Data Science Engineering Program (CASEarth), was invited by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) to give a talk at its Global Network Webinar. The Webinar was organized to introduce CBAS and its work in supporting data and statistical processes to facilitate the implementation of SDGs to the broader statistical community at large.
Mr. Ronald Jansen, UNSD Assistant Director, welcomed Mr. Han Qunli and acknowledged the steps taken by China in the field of geospatial information and big data through the establishment of CBAS and Regional Hub for Big Data in China. Ms. Cecille Blake from the United Nations initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) followed Mr. Jansen and outlined UN-GGIM’s activities and collaborations in China and around the world to promote geospatial data and technology in monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs.
In his presentation, Mr. Han Qunli introduced the guiding vision and missions of CBAS and highlighted the compatibility with CBAS’s SDG Big Data Platform, which provides open access to users around the world. He gave some specifications of the SDGSAT-1 launched in November 2021, which is expected to further enhance the provision of Earth observation data for users worldwide.
By showcasing examples of global and national case studies by CBAS in SDGs 2, 6, 11, 13, 14, and 15, he demonstrated the roles and added value of Big Earth Data in the monitoring and analysis of SDG indicators. He underlined the need for a stronger scientific basis in the understanding of the dynamic trends of SDG indicators and the challenges hindering sustainable development. He wrapped up the talk with a highlight of the ongoing international engagements and partnership projects of CBAS with United Nations agencies and programs, and reiterated the CBAS commitments toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through science, technology and innovation.
The talk was followed by Q&A and discussions.
UNSD Global Network Webinar
Prof. Han Qunli making presentation at UNSD Global Network Webinar