Workshop Proceedings - Inter Islamic Network on Space Sciences ...

Inaugural Session
Welcome Address
Dr Assize TOURE Director General, Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE)
Honourable Deputy Minister of Ecology and Protection
of Nature
His Excellency, the Ambassador of Pakistan in Senegal
His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco
in Senegal
Mr. Ahmed Bilal, President of <strong>Inter</strong> <strong>Islamic</strong> <strong>Network</strong> on
Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET)
Rector of the University Cheikh Anta Diop
Distinguished representatives of friendly countries in the
Organization of <strong>Islamic</strong> Cooperation
Distinguished guests
Faced with continuing deterioration of land resources and
the adverse effects of climate change, food security has
become one of the major challenges our countries face.
Addressing this type of challenge requires, above all, good
information at all levels of decision making. The capability
of space technology and its applications is from this point
of view a major asset.
Therefore, with the will of the authorities, the Centre de
Suivi Ecologique (CSE) attempted to develop expertise in
the use of remote access to data needed to produce
regular information on the condition of environment and
natural resources.
The development of this expertise relied heavily on a
dynamic partnership with research and development
institutions of Senegal, the sub-region of West Africa, but
also of the North. This allowed us to strengthen over the
years our system to gather satellite data. It is in this context
that a facility was established, with support from the
European Space Agency (ESA), equipped with two DDS in
addition to the receiving antenna of NOAA in 1992.
The installation of these receiving stations DDS is part of
a program to improve the quality and relevance of data
and information available to decision makers at national
and local levels. It joins the existing environmental
monitoring system in Senegal and managed by the CSE
for several years.
A dynamic network such as ISNET allowed us to participate
in many workshops that contributed to capacity building
of experts fromCSE.
So it is with great pleasure that we welcome our brothers
and sisters from OIC member states for the purpose of
this two-day scientific meeting followed by a four-day
training workshop.
I cannot conclude without thanking President ISNET and
all its employees for the confidence they have placed in
us and wish them all an excellent stay in Senegal.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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