Over the past twenty years, the international Earth observation community - across governments, industries and NGOs, have sought to advance the use of space-, air- and ground-based observations for sound decision making in a changing world. The international Group on Earth Observations (GEO), in collaboration with national efforts such as the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), have made progress in coordinating and advancing Earth observation efforts on the U.S. and international levels.

In addition, a number of parallel efforts have been developed by GEO partners, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with its Early Warnings for All (EWA) initiative, within the UN Global Early Warning Initiative for the Implementation of Climate Adaptation .

As GEO enters its third decade, ministers from GEO member countries agreed to a Post-2025 Strategy titled "Earth Intelligence for All" at its Ministerial Summit in November 2023 in Cape Town. Core to the strategy are two fundamental commitments:

• First is to pursue global equity in Earth observation, making resources and opportunities available that lead to best outcomes in communities with varying needs and capacity.
• Second is a commitment to provide not only Earth observations but also Earth intelligence, which means that GEO will continue to facilitate the supply of Earth observation data, but at the same time providing users with insights for better decision-making.

This panel discussion will begin with opening remarks from the U.S. Representative to the Group on Earth Observations Executive Committee, Dr. Stephen Volz, followed by remarks from Dr. Arlene Laing, Coordinating Director of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization. The session will conclude with a panel discussion with international, public and private sector representatives to further discuss the two Post-2025 commitments and the WMO's EWA initiative and their relevance and impact on the weather, water and climate enterprise.