Open Knowledge and National GEOs session, Open Data and Open Knowledge Workshop 2024

National GEOs (Group on Earth Observations) are critical to ensuring the effective coordination of Earth Observation (EO) activities at the national level. These entities often bring together various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private sector actors. The success of National GEOs hinges on their ability to foster collaboration among these diverse groups, working towards shared objectives in EO. In recent years, the GEO community has made notable strides in embracing and advancing Open Knowledge principles. These innovations have sparked pivotal discussions on how emerging Open Knowledge frameworks, tools, and technologies can be leveraged to strengthen the impact of National GEOs. Key areas of focus include the development of technical skills, capacity building, enhancing data sovereignty, and fostering greater collaboration across sectors. This session, featuring a diverse set of speakers from different regions and thematic areas, delved into the current needs and challenges faced by the National GEOs. The topics include the integration of Open Knowledge practices, improving data accessibility, strengthening infrastructure, and addressing other critical issues that shape the future of National GEOs. Through these discussions it was highlighted how Open Knowledge can be a catalyst for innovation and capacity development in EO, especially in the context of National GEOs. Session moderator: Ernest Acheampong, GEO Secretariat Session speakers: Ernest Acheampong, GEO Secretariat Lulekwa Makapela, CSIR Lefteris Mamais, Evenflow.eu (Pre-recorded video) Lionel Menard, MINES Paris PSL / University of Geneva / INIST Kofi Asare, Ghana Space Agency - National GEO