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Soil biodiversity loss remains one of the main global threats to food security in many regions of the world and is likely greater than estimated due to the lack of data on this issue. 

Convening under the theme, “Global Action for Local Impact,” GEO Week 2022 brought together practitioners to discuss the potential for earth observation to assist in addressing global challenges. The week was heavily focused on the future direction of GEO, with participants engaging in sessions related to the road to GEO post-2025.

Options to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, avoiding future pandemics, and strategic spending of pandemic recovery packages featured prominently in a week that emphasized, "Partnership is the new leadership."

GEO Week 2021 provided an opportunity for GEO to engage with its vast community, including the four regional GEOs, discuss efforts needed to accelerate action in GEO towards environmental and social impact, and consider progress by GEO in bridging the digital divide by democratizing access to data and technologies. 

Like other Climate Weeks held in various regions, the event is envisioned as a stepping stone to the UN 2019 Climate Summit where UN Secretary-General António Guterres has encouraged countries to announce new, more ambitious nationally determined contributions.

Opening comments on ensuring climate action is achieved without sacrificing economic development or just transitions for energy security set the tone for the entire week. Participants discussed just and equitable energy transitions, economic diversification, and inclusive finance to meet climate goals.

The adopted conclusions of the meeting include agreement on: a non-paper on possible elements of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF); the dates of and venue of the second and third meetings of the Working Group, to be held in February 2020 in China and in July 2020 in Colombia; and a zero draft text of GBF will be provided six weeks before the February 2020 meeting.

Given the combined strength of countries from the global South to cooperate and collaborate in securing the future of this Planet, this event discussed opportunities for enhancing inter and intra-regional cooperation to realize the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Inside the halls of the UN and outside on the streets of not only New York, but cities around the world where protests were held, the verdict of the people was clear: leaders are failing to address the environmental and development emergency that the world is currently facing.  

Marking the halfway point to the 2030 Agenda, the SDG Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit aim to provide renewed impetus for accelerating the pace of change in the fields of sustainable development and climate action, respectively.